It’s been said many times before, going organic is the right way to go, but is there any truth to this claim? This is a very important question, especially since Stanford released a study claiming that, compared to conventional alternatives, organic foods provide no health benefits whatsoever and are no safer at all.
Results of the Stanford study have been misinterpreted, however, and their meaning, skewed. The actual result of the study merely claims that “the published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods.” It goes on to state that “consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.” This article shows why going the organic route is still one of the roads to better health.
Why Buy Local Organic Produce?
Although it remains a topic for debate, there are enough reasons to consider going organic—and local—that they overshadow the many things that go against them. Below are a few of these reasons.
- It reduces exposure to pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers from RMIT University found that sticking to an organic diet even for a week can lead to an almost 90% drop in pesticide levels in adults.
- It contains more concentrated vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids. A comparison between organic vs. inorganic foods has shown the higher content of various nutrients in organic foods.
- Local organic produce is fresher than “industrial” organic produce. The industrial variant refers to produce harvested more than a week before consumption. Buying local means that produce spends less time in transit, making it less likely that nutrients are lost from fresh food.
- Some foods tend to be higher in pesticides than others. When buying certain types of produce, it is best to know which ones you should always buy organic.
- Buying local organic produce means supporting your local farmers and the biodiversity of local communities. Supporting local farmers today helps ensure that there will be farms to produce organic food for your community tomorrow.
- Buying local builds community. Making a connection with local farmers gives you more insight regarding the food you eat and maintains the time-honored tradition of an eater-grower relationship.
- Buying local is more eco-friendly. The purchase of local organic business produce helps in maintaining healthy soil and ensures that food items use less packaging.
The answer to the question of going organic is quite simple if you chip away the unfair comparison to their conventional counterparts. Going organic is still the right way to go, but you also have to buy locally to ensure that you get organic produce as intended—freshly picked, straight from the farm.
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