What You Need To Know About Organic Foods And The Benefits Of Them
When people think of organic food, they often think that it’s too expensive and not worth the price. But, organic food can have great benefits, for you and the environment.
This article will tell you all you need to know about what organic produce is, how it compares to other fruits and vegetables, and how buying organic can make a major difference! Shopping organically can improve your life in many ways. If you want to know how, then read our article below.
What Is ‘Organic’ Produce?
Organic produce refers to the way that foods are cultivated and processed. To class as organic produce in the US, crops have to be grown using no synthetic or man-made chemicals. This includes pesticides, herbicides, Genetic modification (GMOs), and fertilisers. Each country has its own meaning for what organic is.
What Do Organic Farmers Use Instead of Chemical Fertilisers?
Instead, organic crops are grown with natural fertilisers. So, products like manure and compost are used rather than synthetic chemicals. Synthetic fertilisers are cheap and reliable because they give a good yield. But, they have a lot of negatives. They affect micro-organisms living within the soils and encourage plant disease and pests. They can also cause chemical imbalances and can damage soil over a long period of time.
In contrast, manure is natural matter made through decomposing animal waste. Although it isn’t as productive as synthetic fertilizers, they give nutrients to plants slowly and steadily. This keeps soil porous and improves any nutrient deficits.
How Is Organic Produce Better For The Environment?
Large sums of nitrogen in artificial fertilisers can cause greenhouse gases like Nitrous Oxide to be released. This adds to world issues like climate change. So, using manure helps to lessen these harmful gases from being released into the air.
In the organic farming process, pests are controlled naturally using birds, insects, or traps. This provides food for the nearby wildlife and benefits the crops at the same time. Although synthetic chemicals kill pests quickly, they can lead to health problems in humans and animals. This harms the wildlife around the crops which may die as a result.
What Are The Benefits Of Organic Produce On The Body?
Organic produce is fresher because it contains no preservatives.
GMO’s are also under ongoing debate. Many believe that genetically modified foods require increased use of toxic herbicides. This is because GMOs are engineered to make crops resistant to herbicides or produce insecticides.
This has caused a major rise in the use of herbicides like Roundup across the US. The World Health Organization has labelled them ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. Because no long-term studies have tested their safety, we are unsure as to their effects. But, animal studies have shown that eating GMOs can lead to organ damage, food allergens, and slower brain growth.
Pesticides also lead to health issues such as cancers and birth defects. Pregnant women and children are most defenceless due to their already weak immune systems. In this sense, it is well worth the extra cash to buy organically, as we are still unsure as to the harmful effects of non-organic foods.
Do I Need To Buy Everything Organic?
No! Some products are worse than others in terms of their eco-friendly impact. For instance, you do not need to buy organic asparagus, mushrooms, cabbage, kiwis, mango, onions, or pineapples to name a few.
But, foods like ginger roots, turmeric roots, apples, bell peppers, grapes, peaches, strawberries, and kale all require very high pesticide levels. It’s a good idea to do some research into this area to better understand the organic process.
You don’t have to buy fully organic. This lifestyle is impossible or unaffordable for some. At the end of the day, every little thing helps!
Supporting Organic Businesses
One way to help cut waste and environmental issues created by large farming firms is to buy from small organic businesses. These often produce less waste and are more sustainable. There are so many organic brands to buy your produce from, both locally and countrywide. These all have their own unique products.
For instance, Djamu based in New York focuses in South Asian herbal drinks. These help to improve immunity. They are made with many organic ingredients including fresh turmeric, ginger, tamarind, lemon, and raw honey. Drinking half a cup in the morning and half a cup at night can have anti-inflammatory effects and anti-oxidant effects. They can even help to reduce cholesterol.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Shopping Organically?
There are a few negatives to shopping organically. The biggest one is that organic produce is more pricey than ‘normal’ crops. This makes an organic life feel impossible for many. But, there are a number of ways to combat this issue.
You could join a co-op that offers lower prices to members who pay an annual fee. You could shop at local farmers markets where organic produce is offered at reduced prices. You can also shop around in different stores to see which has the cheapest organic items!
Another drawback is that organic foods go off quicker. This is because they don’t contain any artificial preservatives. This can be seen as a bad thing, especially when you’re on a budget and can’t afford to waste food. But, you could tackle this issue by going to the store more often and buy less rather than bulk buying and wasting food.
So, organic foods have many positives for our bodies. They also have benefits for the earth and the animals around us. Although this farming method often means that food will cost more, normalizing organic produce could help to reduce waste, climate change, and illnesses. This could have huge paybacks in the long run.
Let us know in the comments your experiences with eating organic foods and any handy tricks for our readers to make shopping organic easier!
