What is organic food and is it better than other foods?

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Have you ever wondered why certain foods are classified as "organic"? What is organic food and is it better than other foods? Read the article below to better understand organic food, also known as organic food or clean food.

1. What is organic food?

Organic food has become explosive and popular over the past two decades. In fact, consumers within the United States alone spent $39.1 billion on organic produce in 2014. The popularity doesn't seem to be slowing, as sales increase more than 11% between 2014 and 2015.
Many people think that organic food is safer, healthier and tastier than conventional food. However, others argue that organic foods are only better for animals and the environment.
This article will objectively compare organic and non-organic foods, including their nutrient content and effects on human health.
What is organic food? The term "organic" is a term used to refer to the production process of certain foods. Organic food that has been grown or farmed without the use of artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified organisms. To be considered an organic food, a food product must be free of artificial food additives. The additives mentioned include artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, flavors and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Organic crops tend to use natural fertilizers such as manure to improve plant growth. Animals raised organically are also free of antibiotics or hormones. Organic farming tends to improve soil quality and conserve groundwater. It also reduces pollution and may be better for the environment.
The most commonly consumed organic foods are fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Today, there are also many processed organic products, such as sodas, cookies and breakfast cereals.

2. Nutrients in organic food

Organic foods may contain more nutrients. Studies comparing the nutritional content of organic and non-organic foods have provided mixed results. This is most likely due to natural variations in food handling and production. However, evidence suggests that organically grown foods may be more nutritious.
Organically grown crops contain more antioxidants and vitamins. Some studies have found that organic foods often contain higher levels of antioxidants and certain micronutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc, and iron. In fact, antioxidant levels can be up to 69% higher in these foods. One study also found that organically grown berries and corn contained 58% more antioxidants and up to 52% more vitamin C than conventionally grown foods.
Furthermore, one study also reported that replacing conventional fruits, vegetables and whole grains with organic vegetables and fruits can provide more antioxidants in the diet. This is comparable to eating 1-2 extra servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Organic plants do not depend on chemical pesticides to protect themselves. Instead, they produce more protective compounds, namely antioxidants. This may partly explain the higher levels of antioxidants in these plants.
Organic crops have also been shown to be lower in nitrates. In fact, studies have shown that nitrate levels in organic foods can be up to 30% lower than in conventionally grown foods. High nitrate levels are associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Additionally, high levels of nitrates have also been linked to a condition called methemoglobinemia, a disease in infants that affects the body's ability to carry oxygen. With that said, many might argue that the harmful effects of nitrates have been overstated because the benefits of eating vegetables outweigh any negative effects.
Organic milk and dairy products may contain slightly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin E and some carotenoids than other conventional dairy products. However, organic milk may contain less selenium and iodine than non-organic milk, two minerals essential for good health.

A review of the results of 67 studies found that organic meat contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and slightly lower amounts of saturated fat than conventional meat. Getting more omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to many health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and many other chronic diseases.
While some studies show that organic foods contain more nutrients, many other studies have not found enough evidence to recommend eating organic foods over inorganic foods. An observational study that compared the nutritional intake of nearly 4,000 adults who consumed organic or conventional vegetables showed mixed results. Although intakes of certain nutrients were slightly higher in the organic group, this is most likely due to higher overall vegetable consumption.
A review based on the results of 55 studies found no difference in the nutrient content of organic versus conventional crops, with the exception of lower nitrate levels in organic produce.
Another review based on the results of 233 studies found that there is still no conclusive evidence that organic foods are more nutritious than conventional foods. However, it's important to remember that these studies vary widely in results. This is because the nutrient content of a food depends on many factors, such as soil quality, weather conditions, and when the crops are harvested.
The composition of dairy and meat products can be affected by differences in livestock genetics and breed, what animals eat, time of year and type of farm. Natural variations in food production and handling make comparisons difficult. Therefore, the results of these studies must be interpreted with more caution.

3. Is organic food better than other foods?

Many people choose to buy organic foods to avoid artificial chemicals. Evidence suggests that consuming these foods can reduce people's exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One study found that levels of cadmium, a highly toxic metal, were 48 percent lower in organic products. In addition, pesticide residues were four times more likely to be found in non-organic crops. It is important to note that levels of cadmium and pesticide residues in conventionally grown produce are still well below safe limits.
However, some experts worry that cadmium can build up over time in the body, potentially causing harm. Washing, scrubbing, peeling, and cooking foods can reduce levels of these chemicals, although it doesn't always remove them completely. However, evidence suggests that the risk of exposure to pesticide residues in food is small and unlikely to cause harm.
Because organic farming does not use antibiotics on animals, these products often contain slightly lower levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
There is some evidence that organic food has health benefits. For example, some laboratory studies show that the higher antioxidant content of organic foods helps protect cells from damage. Animal studies suggest that a diet consisting of organic foods may benefit growth, reproduction, and the immune system. One study also reported that chickens fed an organic diet showed reduced weight gain and stronger immune systems.
Observational studies in humans have linked organic foods to a reduced risk of allergies and eczema in children and infants. A large observational study of 623,080 women found no difference in cancer risk between those who never ate organic food and those who ate it regularly. Another study found higher antioxidant levels in men following an organic diet. However, this study was small and the sampling method was not random.

When they followed 16 people on an organic and a conventional diet for a period of 6 weeks, those following the organic diet had slightly higher levels of certain antioxidants in their urine. . However, there is not enough strong evidence to confirm that organic food is more beneficial to human health than conventional food.
Just because a product is labeled “organic” doesn't mean it's healthy. Some of these products are still processed foods that are high in added calories, sugar, salt, and fat. For example, organic cookies, chips, soft drinks and ice cream can all be purchased in the supermarket.
Although they are organic products, these products are still not good for health. So if you're trying to lose weight or eat healthy, you're likely to fail if you eat too many of these foods.
Organic product labels will often state that the ingredients are "natural" - eg: Use raw cane sugar instead of regular sugar. However, the road is still the road. Most of the world's population has been consuming too much sugar. Thinking that consuming a lot of organic sugar will be healthy is simply a misconception. In a nutshell, when you choose organic junk food, you're probably just choosing slightly higher quality foods than regular junk food.
However, since regulations often prohibit the use of artificial additives in foods, using organic produce is a good way to avoid exposure to too many chemicals added to foods. usual trivia.
Organic foods may contain more antioxidants and nutrients than conventional foods, although the evidence is still very limited. Consuming organic foods can also reduce your risk of exposure to man-made chemicals, hormones, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, organic foods are often more expensive and perishable. In addition, we still don't know for sure if organic foods actually provide more health benefits. Therefore, whether to use organic products or not depends on the preferences and conditions of each person.
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Reference articles: healthline.com, mayoclinic.org