Health Care

Sure, you may think organic foods are better for you. But, have you ever seen any proof that the higher-priced organic foods you purchase are actually any more healthy than their conventional counterparts? Have you ever questioned if they are more healthy? You’re not alone. Even agencies that offer health-related advice on the foods we eat have been questioning if organic foods are more nutritious, often citing the lack of scientific evidence. These questions may finally be answered. Recent research provides scientific evidence that organic foods are indeed healthier and it may change opinions about these foods.

In recent (largest of its kind) study at Newcastle University UK, researchers have found that eating organic foods vs. conventional foods may provide many benefits which convention foods do not. In addition to increasing lifespan, these foods contain higher levels of antioxidants and flavonoids which are many times absent in chemically treated foods and produce. These antioxidants help our bodies fight off disease and cleanse our body of harmful substances.

Newcastle University has spent over £12m on a study sponsored by the European Union and findings show that in addition to higher antioxidant levels, organic foods have much lower levels of fatty acids. The researchers found that organic cattle produced milk as much as 80% higher in antioxidants. Most other organic fruits and vegetables contained 20% and 40% more nutrients than their chemically altered counterparts.

In a statement, Professor Carlo Leifert said: “We have shown there are more of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods or improved amounts of the fatty acids you want and less of those you don’t want. Our research is now trying to find out where the difference between organic and conventional food comes from. What we’re interested in is finding out why there is so much variability concerning the differences. What is the agricultural system gives higher nutritional content and less of the baddies in the food?”

The study showed differences so large in some cases that choosing organic is like eating an extra portion of fruit or vegetables each day. To provide accurate samples for the research, both organic and conventional test crops of fruits and vegetables were grown in a controlled environment and cattle were raised on a farm in Northumberland.

In addition to raising consumer awareness, the research will help organic farmers to improve their quality and farming methods. It will give them more knowledge of how the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables is affected by agricultural variables.

The main question remains, will the project findings help consumers realize that organic foods are much healthier and not just a higher-priced lifestyle choice? The Food Standards Agency, which provides general food advice to consumers, plans to review the evidence from the research and will determine if it will change its advice. Others in the food industry hope the research will contribute to a large-scale change. Ultimately, the choice is that of the consumer. Armed with proof that organic foods are much healthier, it could help them justify the higher cost of eating organic. The health benefits speak for themselves.