Consumers are becoming more and more conscious of their health, and this includes their eating habits and food choices. For this reason, a lot of people are starting to turn to organic foods and food products.

In the U.S. alone, organic food sales amounted to almost 50 billion dollars in 2018 despite ranking fourth in terms of hectares dedicated to organic agriculture. These figures tell us that organic food production is projected to rise further in the near future.

But are there actual benefits to going organic? Or is it just another one of those diet fads that come and go?

Reasons why organic foods are healthier

Proponents of organic foods and organic food production maintain that there are healthier returns to eating organic foods. Here are six reasons to go organic:

Organic foods minimize our exposure to chemicals

In general, the term “organic” is used to mean foods and food production processes that don’t use chemicals and artificial substances. In agriculture, for instance, organic farming means forgoing the use of commercial pesticides and herbicides.

Organic also entails feeding livestock healthier feeds free of trash, fillers and antibiotics. Therefore, eating foods produced using organic means results in less exposure to harmful chemicals and inorganic substances that are bad for our health.

Organic foods contain more nutrients

Organic foods contain more nutrients than non-organic ones. The main reason for this is that the soil in organic agriculture is managed using sustainable practices and nourished using natural manure and compost. The result? Healthier crops.

Microbes in the soil are also crucial for maintaining soil health. Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides tend to eliminate these beneficial microbes, resulting in poor soil and bad crops. For this reason, organic farms that don’t use these products at all tend to produce more nutritious foods.

Organic meat and animal products are healthier than non-organic ones

You might find that some slabs of meat sport certified organic stamps from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but others don’t. Meat labelled “organic” means that the animal it came from had been raised under humane conditions and processed using organic and sustainable means.

These include raising animals in pastures suitable for grazing and using organic feed and forage free of antibiotics and hormones. The same goes for raising other animals for food including fish, hens, goat, sheep and the like.

Organic meat is richer in omega-3

Recent studies found that organic meat, milk and other animal products can contain as much as 50 percent more unsaturated fats (omega-3) than their non-organic counterparts. Omega-3s are essential to brain health and heart health, as these fats protect both organs from inflammation and cellular damage.

Experts speculate that the richer fat profile of organic meat can be attributed to the grass-rich diet of animals raised under humane conditions.

Organic food is GMO-free

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are foods altered using artificial means to enhance their taste, increase their shelf-life or boost their nutrient content. Most GMOs are also engineered to be resistant to pests and the harmful effects of pesticides.

Organic foods are required to be GMO-free, as per USDA guidelines. This means that organic farmers can neither plant GMO seeds nor feed animals GMO crops like alfalfa and corn. Producers of organic food products are also prohibited from using GMO ingredients.

Organic foods are better for the environment

Organic agriculture considers the long-term effects of agricultural activities on the environment. For instance, farming using natural pesticides poses no health risks for both humans and animals.

In using natural manure and compost, on the other hand, farmers help enhance soil structure and boost soil health. Letting animals roam and eat healthier organic foods also result in healthier offspring.

The bottom line

Because organic foods are gaining attention, a lot of manufacturers are adopting artful methods of banking on this rising food trend. For instance, some foods might be labelled “all-natural,” “sugar-free” and “non-GMO,” but don’t be fooled. These aren’t the same as a certified USDA Organic label.

But that doesn’t mean that going organic starts and ends with eating organic foods, as some people might struggle to purchase them because of the steeper price tags. For starters, eat more plant-based foods like beans and legumes, and cut back on red meat.

Remember: Eating fruits, vegetables and other produce in general is better for overall health, and cutting back on certain foods is part and parcel of making healthier food choices.

Read more articles about organic foods and their health benefits at Organics.news.

Sources:

Statista.com

OrganicWithoutBoundaries.bio

MindBodyGreen.com

LifeGate.com

USDA.gov