| I have been to the grocery store and compared a | | | | foods, especially fruit and vegetables, taste much |
| bag of regular apples for $.99 per pound, to organic | | | | fresher and flavorful than conventional food. |
| apples which cost $2.20 per pound. Is organic worth | | | | Researchers at Washington State University have |
| the extra cost? To answer this, we have to first | | | | conducted lab taste trials which show that organic |
| clarify what "organic" means. Organic food is | | | | berries were consistently judged as sweeter. |
| produced by farmers who avoid the use of | | | | 5) GM free - Organic and all-natural processed foods |
| bio-persistent non-selective chemical pesticides, | | | | contain no artificial ingredients including coloring and |
| fungicides and fertilizers. In other words, organic is | | | | preservatives, some of which have been linked to |
| grown naturally without the use of toxins. Here are | | | | behavior problems in children. |
| the top ten advantages: | | | | 6) Healthier - Organic foods pack in more nutrients |
| 1) No pesticides - Organic food is grown and | | | | per serving. New research verifies that some organic |
| produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, | | | | produce is lower in nitrates and higher in antioxidants |
| which have been linked to health concerns like | | | | than conventional food. |
| cancers and to neuro-behavioral effects including | | | | 7) Better for the planet - Organic and all natural food |
| ADHD and autism in children. | | | | production is better for the land. Organic farmers |
| 2) Natural and unprocessed - Organic foods are | | | | emphasize the use of renewable (or sustainable) |
| produced without the use of antibiotics and synthetic | | | | resources and the conservation of soil and water to |
| hormones. Studies have shown that overuse of | | | | enhance environmental quality for future generations. |
| antibiotics in agriculture can build up the | | | | 8) Helps prevent climate change - Organic foods use |
| antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your body. If you get | | | | less fuel as they are not farmed using intensive |
| sick later on and need to take antibiotics, you may | | | | machine-heavy methods. |
| be resistant or even allergic, which puts you in a very | | | | 9) Reduces the demand for oil - organic fruits and |
| dangerous position. | | | | vegetables use far less fossil fuel to transport from |
| 3) Safer - Organic foods are much safer for babies, | | | | the farm to the store. This UN report shows that |
| young children, and pregnant and breastfeeding | | | | you drastically reduce your carbon footprint and |
| women. They have no artificial coloring, preservatives | | | | benefit the environment by eating organic (vegan) |
| and are certified by organic food standards. This | | | | food. |
| gives peace of mind to parents who were concerned | | | | 10) In harmony with nature - Buying organic food |
| about the health risks of feeding children chemically | | | | promotes a less toxic environment for all living things. |
| modified food. | | | | Organic farms are often a wonderful hub of animal |
| 4) Tastes better - Science has now proven what | | | | insect and bird activity. They promote biodiversity |
| many people have known all along - that organic | | | | and are the equivalent of reforestation. |