Organic Foods Are More Nutritious

Evidence continues to build that the nutrient density of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables has been steadily declining in recent years, primarily due to what is known as the "dilution effect”, produced by intensive agriculture.

Changes in plant breeding and the extensive use of fertilizer and pesticides have all dramatically increased the amount of food available, but in the process, that food has become less nutritious. As a result many health professionals are recommending consumers opt for organic produce.
 
Since 2001 more than 40 new studies have been published comparing the nutrient value of conventionally produced and organic foods. The Organic Centre has recently produced a report detailing the results of their analysis of 97 published, peer-reviewed research, comparing the nutrient levels of organic and conventionally grown produce. The conventionally grown and organic foods assessed had been grown in similar soils and climate, equivalent irrigation systems and harvest practices were used. 11 nutrients were examined:

    * Four measures of antioxidants (total phenolics, total antioxidant capacity ,
      quercetin, kaempferol),
    * Three precursors of key vitamins (Vitamins A, C, and E),
    * Two minerals (potassium and phosphorous),
    * Nitrates (higher levels are a nutritional disadvantage),
    * Total protein.

Organic fruits, vegetables and grains were found to contain higher levels of 8 of the 11 nutrients analysed, including higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidants. Organic foods were found to be nutritionally superior in 145 comparisons, amounting to 61% of comparisons. In 25% of the 145 favourable comparisons, organic varieties were found to have nutrient levels above 31% higher than that of their conventionally grown equivalents.

The researchers concluded that the difference between the organically-grown and conventionally-grown foods documented in their report was not only consistent, but sizable enough to conclude that organically-grown foods (on average) are more nutritious. Neal Davies, a co-author of the report, noted: "there is also evidence that the nutrients in organically grown foods are often in a more biologically active form." To read a summary of the report click here.   .  
 
There are many other reasons to buy organic.  Organic food is free of the pesticide residues associated with conventionally grown produce and organic farming is arguably a more sustainable form of farming both environmentally and ethically.

For more information on organic farming visit the Soil Association website and the Organic Centre’s website.

From The Nutri Supplement No. 107