By: Maria Larsen
Organic food is currently a debatable topic. The Hartman group of market research film recently discovered
that almost 70 percent of Americans will buy organic food when they head to the grocery store. Organic food has been proven by chemists at the University of Missouri to be more nutritious than non-organic foods. Although organic foods are somewhat pricey, the health benefits can improve overall health.
What Is Organic Food?
When the word organic is labeled on food, it certifies that the food contains no pesticides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or anything artificial in general. There is a certain group of foods that are considered by many the ¨dirty dozen¨. The ¨dirty dozen¨ according to Food News are peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes. These foods are considered the twelve worst foods to eat when they are not organic. Pesticide levels are the highest in the "dirty dozen" and are the worst for overall health.
Why Go Organic?
Organic food can help increase the quality of health and have a decreased chance of getting cancer or other fatal diseases. Several people are making the choice to eat healthy foods that are organic. There are more and more illnesses occurring and many people do not want to get a sickness that will cost them thousands of dollars to treat. Doctor Mercola is one out of many well-known doctors who research organic foods and how they affect the human body. Mercola researched how organic food would lower pesticide intake. He stated from his discovery, ¨The study suggests that by eating organically grown versions of foods highest in pesticide residues, we can make a measurable difference" (Eating Organic Food, 2015). Time magazine wrote an article in June of 2014 about how parents were going organic for their kids well-being. Organic products can increase the wellness of children and adults. Parents are making the choice to go organic and help keep their kids as healthy as possible to avoid costly problems down the road. The Swedish grocery chain, Co-Op, and the Swedish Environmental Research Institute conducted a safe experiment to see whether or not a family of five would undergo healthy changes when the family went organic. What the doctors saw was drastic. The family of five after a single day saw a huge decrease in the amount of pesticides coming into their body. The Center for Eco genetics & Environmental Health reported that the amount of pesticides that is let into the body can cause serious problems later on in life such as memory loss, breathing problems, cancer, birth defects, and also depression. Newcastle University conducted a study on how much better organic food really is. They found that organic food almost had double the amount of nutrients than conventional food. Conventional food is any kind of food that is not labeled organic.
Who Produces Organic Food?
A USDA Organic company label can always be trusted; this organization certifies food on whether or not the food can be considered organic or not. When the USDA Organic certified badge is on food that means that it is organic. The standards that farmers have to meet are very high and hard to qualify for. In order for the crop to be certified organic it has to have zero pesticides, no genetically modified organisms, exclude fertilizers and no radiation used to make the food. If the food was meat or from an animal, it has to be free of antibiotics. Companies or farmers produce organic food; organic food never comes from a lab. Organic food is sold in almost every store. Most stores sell organic produce, even the small markets. Most of the time, the larger chain stores have a whole section on organic food and produce.
What is The Difference Between All Natural and Organic?
Chef Ann Cooper has also had this same question. She said that natural foods are when, ¨food manufacturers often place a "natural" label on foods containing heavily processed ingredients. ¨ Chef Cooper also said that, ¨organic guarantees no toxic synthetic pesticides, toxic synthetic herbicides, or chemical NPK fertilizers are used in production, and no antibiotics or growth hormones are given to animals. ¨ (Natural vs. Organic, 2015)
The Argument
One factor that can be a downfall of organic food is the price. Organic food is nutritious, but some wonder if the food is really worth the price. Jessica DeCostole wrote an article on organic foods in May of 2016 about whether or not organic foods are worth it. She said that, ¨buying organic can cost, and as much as 50 percent more. ¨
Conclusion
Even though eating organically can be pricey, many knowledgeable doctors recommend organic food and produce. Although it is challenging to gauge long term health effects of choosing organic; it is important to keep our bodies free from as many toxins as possible and choosing organic does just that.
Organic food is currently a debatable topic. The Hartman group of market research film recently discovered
that almost 70 percent of Americans will buy organic food when they head to the grocery store. Organic food has been proven by chemists at the University of Missouri to be more nutritious than non-organic foods. Although organic foods are somewhat pricey, the health benefits can improve overall health.
What Is Organic Food?
When the word organic is labeled on food, it certifies that the food contains no pesticides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or anything artificial in general. There is a certain group of foods that are considered by many the ¨dirty dozen¨. The ¨dirty dozen¨ according to Food News are peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes. These foods are considered the twelve worst foods to eat when they are not organic. Pesticide levels are the highest in the "dirty dozen" and are the worst for overall health.
Why Go Organic?
Organic food can help increase the quality of health and have a decreased chance of getting cancer or other fatal diseases. Several people are making the choice to eat healthy foods that are organic. There are more and more illnesses occurring and many people do not want to get a sickness that will cost them thousands of dollars to treat. Doctor Mercola is one out of many well-known doctors who research organic foods and how they affect the human body. Mercola researched how organic food would lower pesticide intake. He stated from his discovery, ¨The study suggests that by eating organically grown versions of foods highest in pesticide residues, we can make a measurable difference" (Eating Organic Food, 2015). Time magazine wrote an article in June of 2014 about how parents were going organic for their kids well-being. Organic products can increase the wellness of children and adults. Parents are making the choice to go organic and help keep their kids as healthy as possible to avoid costly problems down the road. The Swedish grocery chain, Co-Op, and the Swedish Environmental Research Institute conducted a safe experiment to see whether or not a family of five would undergo healthy changes when the family went organic. What the doctors saw was drastic. The family of five after a single day saw a huge decrease in the amount of pesticides coming into their body. The Center for Eco genetics & Environmental Health reported that the amount of pesticides that is let into the body can cause serious problems later on in life such as memory loss, breathing problems, cancer, birth defects, and also depression. Newcastle University conducted a study on how much better organic food really is. They found that organic food almost had double the amount of nutrients than conventional food. Conventional food is any kind of food that is not labeled organic.
Who Produces Organic Food?
A USDA Organic company label can always be trusted; this organization certifies food on whether or not the food can be considered organic or not. When the USDA Organic certified badge is on food that means that it is organic. The standards that farmers have to meet are very high and hard to qualify for. In order for the crop to be certified organic it has to have zero pesticides, no genetically modified organisms, exclude fertilizers and no radiation used to make the food. If the food was meat or from an animal, it has to be free of antibiotics. Companies or farmers produce organic food; organic food never comes from a lab. Organic food is sold in almost every store. Most stores sell organic produce, even the small markets. Most of the time, the larger chain stores have a whole section on organic food and produce.
What is The Difference Between All Natural and Organic?
Chef Ann Cooper has also had this same question. She said that natural foods are when, ¨food manufacturers often place a "natural" label on foods containing heavily processed ingredients. ¨ Chef Cooper also said that, ¨organic guarantees no toxic synthetic pesticides, toxic synthetic herbicides, or chemical NPK fertilizers are used in production, and no antibiotics or growth hormones are given to animals. ¨ (Natural vs. Organic, 2015)
The Argument
One factor that can be a downfall of organic food is the price. Organic food is nutritious, but some wonder if the food is really worth the price. Jessica DeCostole wrote an article on organic foods in May of 2016 about whether or not organic foods are worth it. She said that, ¨buying organic can cost, and as much as 50 percent more. ¨
Conclusion
Even though eating organically can be pricey, many knowledgeable doctors recommend organic food and produce. Although it is challenging to gauge long term health effects of choosing organic; it is important to keep our bodies free from as many toxins as possible and choosing organic does just that.