We maintain that organic foods are higher in vitamins and minerals than conventionally produced foods, because the soil has a greater variety of living organisms and trace minerals.
Organic produce is just as important for the societal benefits it brings as it is for the quality or health benefits of the food and these are:
Social and Environmental Benefits of Organic Food Production
Organic farmers have a strong commitment to their land. If they don't abuse the land, it will provide for them and their families for many years to come. They are far less likely to use the kind of agricultural processes which result in:
• loss of topsoil
• toxic runoff and resulting water pollution
• soil contamination and poisoning
• death of insects, birds, critters and beneficial soil organisms
Individual Benefits of Organic Food
Organic farmers use things like compost, rock dust, and kelp meal, which contain dozens of different trace minerals and soil builders. Organic farmers try to increase the number of beneficial soil organisms, rather than killing them.
Conventional farmers add mostly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (the old N-P-K) to the soil, perhaps a little calcium or sulfur if needed. They rarely, if ever, add expensive secondary, tertiary or trace soil elements. Once a conventional farmer uses up the minerals endemic in his soil, which takes only a few crop rotations, the food subsequently produced is low or devoid of these nutrients.
According to the Environmental Working Group, the 12 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables are: (in order of toxicity)
1. Strawberries
2. Bell Peppers (tie)
3. Spinach (tie)
4. Cherries (USA)
5. Peaches
6. Cantaloupe (Mexico)
7. Celery
8. Apples
9. Apricots
10. Green Beans
11. Grapes (Chile)
12. Cucumbers
Organic food is not just beneficial to the body but also to the environment and organic farming preserves the wildlife and ecosystem. Organic fruits and vegetables are free from artificial coloring, flavorings and residual antibiotics and many people are consuming organic food for its health benefits
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
More Info about quality of Organic Foods
The organic farming and produce of organic foods has been prevalent from the time agriculture was first conceived. The natural way of growing crops started becoming unpopular and economically less feasible over time as more crop yields meant higher profits to the farmer and better utilization of the land. The farmers who used fertilizers started growing a couple of crops during the same time-period, which fast tracked the industry of conventional foods.
Researchers investigated the amounts of mineral levels of heavy metals such aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury which was present in non-organic foods. Aluminum has been implicated for years in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Its content in organic food averaged 40% less that in commercial foods. Lead toxicity, which has been in the news lately, can adversely affect our children's' IQ. It averaged 29% lower in organic foods. Mercury, which can cause neurological damage, averaged 25% lower in organic foods" (Crinnion, Walter). The organic meat is healthier compared to the conventionally gown which is full of antibiotics and many other chemicals for fast growing, which we consume by eating these foods.
People consume more conventional food which cause more farmers to use pesticides and to double their crops. As we know, pesticides are dangerous for our environment and wild life. People should buy more organic foods and that in turn will lower the production of the conventional because of the demand.
That`s one of the ways to protect and save the environment and wildlife. Chemicals used, kill different insects which are part of our ecosystem. Chemicals go from soil to the water reservoir and again back to us.
Researchers investigated the amounts of mineral levels of heavy metals such aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury which was present in non-organic foods. Aluminum has been implicated for years in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Its content in organic food averaged 40% less that in commercial foods. Lead toxicity, which has been in the news lately, can adversely affect our children's' IQ. It averaged 29% lower in organic foods. Mercury, which can cause neurological damage, averaged 25% lower in organic foods" (Crinnion, Walter). The organic meat is healthier compared to the conventionally gown which is full of antibiotics and many other chemicals for fast growing, which we consume by eating these foods.
People consume more conventional food which cause more farmers to use pesticides and to double their crops. As we know, pesticides are dangerous for our environment and wild life. People should buy more organic foods and that in turn will lower the production of the conventional because of the demand.
That`s one of the ways to protect and save the environment and wildlife. Chemicals used, kill different insects which are part of our ecosystem. Chemicals go from soil to the water reservoir and again back to us.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Organic labels and what they mean
"100% Organic"
Foods that are labeled as 100% Organic must contain all organically grown ingredients except for added water and salt.
"Organic"
Foods that are labeled as Organic need to contain at least 95% organic ingredients, except for added water and salt, plus they must not contain sulfites added as a preservative. Sulfites have been known to provoke allergies and asthma in some people. Up to 5% of the ingredients may non-organically produced.
"Made with Organic Ingredients"
Product labels that claim Made with Organic Ingredients need to contain at least 70% organic ingredients, except for added water and salt. They must not contain added sulfites, and up to 30% of the ingredients may be non-organically produced.
Food products made with less than 70% organic ingredients may state which ingredients are organic, but they can not claim to be organic food products.
Foods that are organically grown can state that fact on the label. This makes shopping easier for those of us who want to buy organic foods. It is important to understand exactly what organic labels mean.
Foods that are labeled as 100% Organic must contain all organically grown ingredients except for added water and salt.
"Organic"
Foods that are labeled as Organic need to contain at least 95% organic ingredients, except for added water and salt, plus they must not contain sulfites added as a preservative. Sulfites have been known to provoke allergies and asthma in some people. Up to 5% of the ingredients may non-organically produced.
"Made with Organic Ingredients"
Product labels that claim Made with Organic Ingredients need to contain at least 70% organic ingredients, except for added water and salt. They must not contain added sulfites, and up to 30% of the ingredients may be non-organically produced.
Food products made with less than 70% organic ingredients may state which ingredients are organic, but they can not claim to be organic food products.
Foods that are organically grown can state that fact on the label. This makes shopping easier for those of us who want to buy organic foods. It is important to understand exactly what organic labels mean.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Organic Food Basics
Organic food advocates maintain that organically grown foods are safer and more nutritious than foods raised with non-organic methods such as pesticides, non-organic fertilizers, antibiotics and hormones. Many people just don't trust these chemicals and don't want to put them into their bodies. Since virtually all non-organically produced foods contain residues of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals, the only way to avoid them is to buy organic foods.
Organic foods are becoming more available in supermarkets and there are numerous organic foods to choose from in stores that specialize in health foods.
Organically grown foods are becoming more popular as people worry more about the health and the safety of the food they eat. What is organic food? Where can you buy organic products.
There are many reasons to buy organic.
* It's better for the environment.
* No pesticides means healthier soil, water, and wildlife.
* Buying organic supports small farmers.
* Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for organic produce
compared to factory farming.
* Organic farming is good for biodiversity.
* No pesticides means healthier soil, water, and wildlife.
* Buying organic supports small farmers.
* Organic farmers are growing a wide variety of non-genetically
modified (non-GMO) fruits and vegetables.
With growing demand for Organic Food, the variety has increased substantially
Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for organic produce compared to factory farming. Organic farming is good for biodiversity.
With growing demand for Organic Food, the variety has increased substantially
Organic foods are becoming more available in supermarkets and there are numerous organic foods to choose from in stores that specialize in health foods.
Organically grown foods are becoming more popular as people worry more about the health and the safety of the food they eat. What is organic food? Where can you buy organic products.
There are many reasons to buy organic.
* It's better for the environment.
* No pesticides means healthier soil, water, and wildlife.
* Buying organic supports small farmers.
* Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for organic produce
compared to factory farming.
* Organic farming is good for biodiversity.
* No pesticides means healthier soil, water, and wildlife.
* Buying organic supports small farmers.
* Organic farmers are growing a wide variety of non-genetically
modified (non-GMO) fruits and vegetables.
With growing demand for Organic Food, the variety has increased substantially
Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for organic produce compared to factory farming. Organic farming is good for biodiversity.
With growing demand for Organic Food, the variety has increased substantially
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