Eating Organic can Boost Optimal Health

  • Category: Food
  • June 2, 2019

In times where much of our diet is loaded with preservatives, artificial ingredients or dangerous pesticides, eating organic foods is a pro-active step towards good health and well-being.

Defined

Organic is defined as food that is produced without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial pesticides or herbicides. Each country has its own laws as to what organic means- this law is referred to as a standard. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all foods labeled as organic to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must be USDA certified as adhering to these standards. Many people confuse natural with organic- natural does not equal organic. Natural has to do with how a food product is processed. Natural foods — apples, beef, or corn — can be organic or not. On the other hand, organic foods can be processed into foods that are not classified as natural — such as bread made with organically grown wheat but made with non-natural preservatives.

The Bottom Line

Organic foods are important since chemical pesticides and fertilizers used in conventional agriculture remain in the products we eat and create havoc in our bodies. When the chemicals in conventional foods mix with air, oxidization begins and a chemical reaction begins. This reaction kicks off the release of toxins that are the root cause of disease in the human body.

Eating right helps us to be physically stronger- according to researchers, the nutrients in organic food are more potent than in their conventional counterparts. The reason is organic food is grown slowly and therefore able to build nutrients and draw minerals from the ground. Conventionally grown crops are grown quickly and fertilized– water and growth is literally forced into the plant- stimulating growth and not allowing the plant to build nutrients.

When purchasing organic food consider the following: buy fruits and vegetables in season to ensure the highest quality. Also, try to buy your produce the day it is delivered to ensure you are buying the freshest food possible. Read food labels carefully- just because a product says it is organic or contains organic ingredients does not necessarily mean it is a healthier alternative. Some organic products may still be high in sugar, salt, fat or calories.