Are organic foods really any better for you?
By Bard of Ely
What are organic foods?
Very many people around the world are eating more organically produced foods, and if they have access to the land, growing and producing their own organic foods too, but what are the benefits from doing this? Is eating this way really much better for your health and the environment?
Organic defined
First of all we need to define what the term “organic” means. When applied to foodstuffs it is used to make it clear that the vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses or cereals have been grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides on the land they are cultivated on. Also it indicates that artificial fertilisers have not been used as well. Any processing of the foods has avoided the use of unnatural additives, preservatives, flavourings and sweeteners and that they have not been exposed to radiation.
Organically farmed meat and dairy products come from animals that have been fed only organic grain or other natural foods, and the animals have not been treated with antibiotics, hormones or given any supplemental medications.
Organic foods on sale
The benefits of organic foods and farming
Now the benefits of eating freshly harvested organic foods seem obvious if they have been produced as outlined above. There would be far more vitamins and minerals that we need for starters as it is well known that packaged and processed food are often lacking in these essential nutrients, and that fruit and vegetables lose their vitamin content with storage.
That many food additives used to preserve and enhance flavour and appearance is also widely accepted knowledge. It is also obvious that pesticides and herbicides used in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables are likely to remain on or in the foods and are toxic to our bodies and the environment.
Silent Spring on eBay
|
NEW - Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Current Bid: $6.50
|
|
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Hardback 1st Edition 1962
Current Bid: $9.99
|
Pesticides
Concerns about pesticides justified
Concerns about pesticides are certainly justified. In the 1950s and 1960s, the pesticide DDT was believed to have caused the widespread thinning of the eggs of North American birds, and because of this species such as the bald eagle and peregrine falcon rapidly fell in numbers. Rachel Carson's classic book Silent Spring warned about this danger.
A lifeline for rural communities
It has been said that organic agriculture can provide a real lifeline for small farmers because it offers an alternative market where fair prices can be paid for produce.This is a very valid point because small farmers in rural communities need to be able to sell their produce to bring in an income.
Better flavour
Fresh organic foods taste a lot better too. Compare a tomato you have grown yourself with one from the shop and you will agree this is true. The same can be said for all fruit and vegetables.
Organic food on eBay
|
NOW Foods Virgin Coconut Oil 1000 mg 120 Softgels Certified Organic
Current Bid: $13.99
|
| No Photo |
Complimentary COUPONs PACIFIC NATURAL FOODS ORGANIC SOUPS & PIZZAS Free
Current Bid: $1.29
|
|
55¢ off 1 NATURALLY FRESH DRESSING (organic foods) - 10 COUPONS
Current Bid: $1.25
|
|
75¢ off 1 NATURALLY FRESH DIP 15.5oz Container (organic foods) - 10 COUPONS
Current Bid: $1.25
|
|
NOW FOODS BETTER STEVIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC EXTRACT POWDER - 1 LB.
Current Bid: $55.99
|
|
NOW Foods Chlorella-Certified Organic, Powder 1 lb
Current Bid: $29.99
|
Two sides to every story
But not everyone would agree that organic farming is really any better than non-organic agriculture for a number of reasons. The popularity of organic food has not been on the back of scientific evidence. In fact, the growing trend for organic farming and produce is not being promoted or created by mainstream agricultural scientists.
Elizabeth Finkel, writing for Cosmos Magazine in August 2007, says: “The surprising factisthat this mass migration to organic food has not been on the back of scientific evidence. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find comprehensive evidence that organic food is healthier – either for us or the planet.”
Professor Anthony Trewavas, a research scientist at the Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Edinburgh, is one scientist who has spoken out against organic farming and pointed out its dangers.
BT pesticide spray
Organic farmers have no worries about using BT pesticide spray, because they would argue that BT is made by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and so is natural, however, at the same time, they would protest about the genetically modified (GM) BT cotton crops that carry an inbuilt supply of the same substance. It is the same pesticide, although it didn’t get into the corn in a ‘natural’ way.
Illogical
There has been a notable lack of apparent logic applied by those in favour of organically farmed crops too. These people are all for “getting back to nature” and doing things the old-fashioned way. Yet, as Prof Trewavas is keen to point out, many organic farmers will grow modern crop varieties of many plants, such as oats, barley, wheat, tomatoes and potatoes, even though they have been produced by artificial selective breeding or genetic manipulation. These plants are not natural and do not survive well if left to themselves in fields unless they are cultivated by people.
Potential dangers and health risks
Some scientists have actually spoken out against organic farming and pointed out its dangers. There are possible health risks from organically farmed foods too. Organic farmers will happily use apply cow or pig manure if it is available but this can be infected with the potentially dangerous E coli 0157 bacterium. While this is of no danger to cows it can be a serious threat to humans. Two outbreaks of illness caused by E coli in America were traced back to organic strawberries and lettuce, and in Aberdeen, home-made organic goats' cheese caused children to become ill due to E coli bacteria.
Food shortages
Another argument against organic farming is that in an overpopulated world it would be impossible to produce enough food by using old-fashioned ways to feed all the people now on the planet. It is argued that modern farming techniques are geared to solving this and that organic farming would lead to very serious food shortages.
Organic farming
|
FOX FARM OCEAN FOREST ORGANIC POTTING SOIL 12QT !!!!PLUS FREE SHIPPING!!!!
Current Bid: $17.99
|
|
Natural Organic Farming 35 Bks IMO Bokashi Free Range Chicken Fukuoka EM Pasture
Current Bid: $4.99
|
Other land uses and a boom in sales of organics
Alternative uses for the land
However, it can also be argued that if land wasn’t used for growing grain and soya beans to use as animal feed, as it currently is, and if more land was no longer used for farming cattle, then much of it could be used productively to cultivate crops to feed people with. The land could also be replanted with forests or set aside as nature reserves or as areas used for recreation. This is what those in favour of organic farming would be quick to point out.
A boom in organic food sales
Whilst the debate continues over whether organic foods really are better for us and better for the ecosystem of the planet or not, the fact remains that an increasing number of people are choosing to eat food produced this way. World organic food sales increased dramatically from US $23 billion in 2002 to $52 billion in 2008 and this shows the demand for these foods is there. When all is said and done perhaps it is really the consumer who decides on this issue. If the public want organic foods then they will be produced.
Prince Charles on eBay
|
NWT METAMODA GRAY PRINCE OF WALES AUTHENTIC ITALIAN MENS SUIT 100% WOOL 44 R 54
Current Bid: $249.95
|
|
STERLING SILVER PRINCE OF WALES CHAIN 18"
Current Bid: $2.80
|
The last word
But the last word can go to the Prince of Wales, who is a firm supporter of the organic farming movement. In a speech he gave at the Aberdeen University Centre for Organic Agriculture, October 13, 1998, Prince Charles said:
“It seems to me that the demand for organic produce is more than anything else a direct consequence of great concern that has mounted over the years about modern scientific farming systems which, I think, have become unbalanced. We have depleted the land and use animals as machines. We are now seeing the consequences of that and, hopefully, we are learning from our mistakes before it is too late.”
Copyright © 2011 Steve Andrews. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
:) great Hub!
Thank you, Lynda, and mindyjgirl!
Hey Bard of Ely, the only thing I don't understand about Organic Foods, is the price. Gardening was a way of life for my family. While I don't personally garden I do know and understand that organic isn't new, just how the name is used when it relates to food grown from the earth, and livestock who feed from the earth. But why is it that less is more? If the foods are free of pesticides and additives, then why does it cost so much? I asked a cashier at Whole Foods, if I could put a pound of grapes on lay-away!
Good point! Well, a lot of people haven't got gardens so can't grow their own. I come into that category and it's a sad state of affairs all round!
Hi Steve,
Long time no see – not since the mid eighties actually.
If you really want to understand this subject properly you need more than just a smattering of information to go on. A little research is a very dangerous thing! You need to cross reference with sources that don't all say the same thing. Many websites are big business (Cabal) clones made to look legit and supposedly done by different people. They spend more money than you can imagine to bring about their agenda. Sums like a few million to make billions or even tens of millions in order to make trillions is commonplace. They can seem very convincing with their arguments!
There is a disinformation conspiracy related to food etc. in progress that was temporarily defeated in America and so has moved into Europe (including the UK) and then the rest of the world and will return to America with a vengeance once the rest of the world is under their control.
Look up “codex alimentarius” and “nutricide” if you want a real education about what is going on right now with the worlds food supply, pharmaceuticals and laws that aim to outlaw anything to do with living a healthy lifestyle. This is way beyond what most people would even imagine in their wildest dreams.
Watch a few of the videos by Dr Rima Laibow (America) or Ian Crane (UK) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-526688491
I think maybe I'll start putting some of this stuff on my website. This needs to be stopped and it needs to be stopped NOW! The whole world needs to know what these scheming lowlifes are up to.
I am wondering who you are?
I am well aware of Codex and Dr Rima and both are old news to me! I am actually not convinced that it is anywhere near as bad as people are making out eg if all supplements and vitamins and herbs are being taken off the market then how are the big business companies like Holland and Barrett and all the health food shops and suppliers going to manage? I can't see them all closing! As for Dr Rima she promotes MMS and I am not convinced about that stuff either because it makes people ill not better - I gave up on the stuff because I couldn't work on it and was feeling wiped out! I am not alone with this opinion!
My article here btw was not accepted by a magazine that wanted one on the Pros and Cons of organics because it didn't "jive with what they had planned" so I thought well rather than waste my time I'd stick it on here!
Great hub, lots of information I didn't know. Thank you!
"I am wondering who you are?"
Send me an email.
That Dr Rima Laibow video link is about four years old. Whereas, Ian Crane is campaigning against the implementation of Codex in the UK now 2011. Many countries have already signed up to become Codex compliant. I know organic farmers in the UK who are horrified at the prospect of Codex being accepted by the UK and what that will lead to.
"if all supplements and vitamins and herbs are being taken off the market then how are the big business companies like Holland and Barrett and all the health food shops and suppliers going to manage? I can't see them all closing!"
Not that I shop in them, but I wouldn't want to see them close either.
I tried Googling MMS and top of the list is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_Messaging_
The next one is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMS
That's a pretty big list on its own. I'm guessing that you might not even be referring to any of those?
Try Googling Jim Humble + MMS! It's basically bleach being sold as a cure-all but all conspiracy sheeple will back it although I'm not sure how many have actually taken it!
I don't trust Ian Crane but am saying no more on that here!
Thanks for posting, Ted!
Very interesting topic. I often wonder if organic food is really better than the other ones. I know something more now. And some questions remain ( such as: the organic food is really organic? Why its price is high? Are we susceptible to viruses like E. coli just because we are not accustomed to organic food?)
Thanks for this Hub!
While I do agree that foods we grow in our own backyards taste a lot better than those we buy at the market: I believe that is mostly because of the freshness. Fruits and veggies loose a lot of their flavor in transit. They also loose a lot of their nutritional value during transit.
As a general rule I don't buy organic because I just can't afford it. But, there have been times I have bought organic grapes because that was the only thing available. They looked very good but, were pretty much tasteless. What a waste of my money.
I have to agree with Immartin (above) in that it all comes down to the soil. In a recent study of strawberries grown organicly versus strawberries grown non-organicly it was found that in organically grown strawberries there was a less than 2% increase in nutritional content overall. What they didn't disclose was what type of soil the strawberries were grown in.
imatellmuva wanted to know why organic costs so much. It costs more because organic fertilizers cost more and the lack of pesticides, fungicides ect... means farmers have larger amounts of crop loss. The poorer the soil is the weaker the plants are and this makes them more susceptible to a host of diseases. There are organic ways of pest control but, again, it is expensive and too often when pests strike it is too late to use organic methods of pest control. All of this figures into the cost of organic farming.
And as far as the health risks of cow and pig manure goes...well composted manure will not transmit diseases. Unfortunately it takes time and a specific temperature range to compost manure properly and too often either one or both are fouled up so the manure being sold to farmers never gets properly composted.
Informative lecture which am really pround of.thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comments, Fucsia, Teresa and Crystolite! Personally I would choose organics if I had the choice and usually I don't because I have no garden, can't afford the higher prices and don't have many places selling this sort of produce near here anyway! The 'against' reasons had to go in this article because I was asked to write about the Pros and Cons of Organic foods. The article wasn't accepted after and for the small amount I was getting paid I wasn't prepared to do any more rewrites so published it here!
I think that soil quality is a critical issue whether we choose organic or not... I usually choose organic produce if I can afford it, and I'm sold on organic meat and dairy now because it simply tastes better than the non (the antibiotics gross me out, too)
You are an excellent writer, bard, and I will be sharing this with as many as I can!
Thanks for this well-balanced argument, Bard. I would just like to add a few points.
1)Sadly, I think we'll find that the sales of organic food will go down in this world-wide recession which may mean some organic producers may go out of production.
2) I would rather eat organic as that is the sort of food our bodies have adapted to over the millennia. Scientists are just as likely to find 'for' organic food in the future as studies vary so much and I don't want to find I've been eating the wrong stuff for years. (Plus, it may be that adverse findings on conventional food are kept hidden so as not to panic the masses.Though I don't usually subscribe to conspiracy theories).
3) More tellingly, compare plastic cartons of milk. I have found the level of Vit C shown on the organic carton to be higher than on non-organic milk.
All the best
Angie
Thank you, DrumsAcousticMuse and Angie!
BTW, Angie, I wouldn't have expected any Vitamin C in milk anyway so am surprised there is any in either type!
I tend to buy a fair amount of organic food, but I do not know all of the ins and outs on the subject, so I find it useful to read up on subjects like this ~ thank you for this information :)
I have read that it is generally accepted that organic milk is much healthier for us.
Organic all the way here. If it was good enough for our forefathers, it is definitely good enough for me. :-)
Thanks for your posts, Trish and Shona!
Good article. In the US the government has copyrighted the word, "organic", so that they can use it as it best fits their needs. I do not remember the exact number, but I think it is ninety days before produce hits the shelf pesticides can be used and it is still considered organic. Read the book, Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan. He discusses this topic in length.
Thank you for this great feedback!
Thanks for expressing both sides to the organic foods issue. Pros and cons, either way you look at it. I think what it all boils down to is: being more educated about the food we put in our bodies as a whole, whether or not it is labelled as organic. Most organic foods in my area do taste a lot better, though, and I'd like to think they are safer for me to consume. Thanks for the informative hub!
Very good hub.....in my opinion there should not be any argument against the importance of organic foods, the fact that inorganic foods are our limitations these days due to overpopulated world does not in any way undermine the importance of organic foods, in fact these foods are a real blessing these days where everything is under technology influences involving lots of side effects.....in my view I will definitely support people to start home based farming on small scales at least for the easily grown vegetables and some fruits even and I am pretty sure this will help in getting best of the advantages.Thanks.
Thanks for your feedback, loves2cook and gajanis786!
Great article, one thing noted in this article I would of like to see is the kiloenergy. By eating Organic Foods, you have a much better chance of adsorbing the kiloenergy exerted on the plants and fruits.
All hot discussions prove that organic food is becoming a very important issue. Aside all questions a bout a personal taste, by all means organic is always better than chemical- pumped production as toxic residues are very difficult to remove. Behind the so-called scientific research, in most cases lurks hidden agenda drafted by the transnational corporations hell bent on maximising their overinflated profits and depriving us of any choices.
Whatever the agricultural issue, there is more to that than the technical question of feasibility. People are constantly duped and manipulated to railroad them into the desirable way of thinking to keep them with mental blinkers.
As to the potential hunger due to food shortage, it is artificially created and sustained by orchestrated efforts of the transnational giants to keep people dependent and needy for them only to turn for help to whom if not the transnational corporations.
Thank you for the feedback, Organics and Remigijus!
Remigijus, I agree with all you have said! As I have already explained this hub resulted from what I was asked to write about for a magazine that was not satisfied with what I had written so I published it here. I was asked to list the pros and cons and whether I agree with the anti-organics scientific stuff or not it is out there are part of the opposition's arguments against organics!
For the sake of being fear, both sides should have their say. Yet what is the next step, determines if they want to find the truth or simply to serve their lobbyists. The fact of the rejection of your article by the magazine only proves that people want to hear what is acceptable to them which in your case with the magazine would be joining the herd of the deluded for the sake of being paid by the flunkeys of the transnationals.
However, the slow food movement is just one of the many examples of the rising discontent with reckless monopoly trying to smother the last groups of conscious people still able to think outside the box.
Yes, I am pretty certain I fail to get work accepted because I am not prepared to write stuff I don't believe is true although I don't mind putting both sides of a case in an article.
Durr! Sorry, Bard, re: my comment above. Of course I didn't mean Vit C in milk, I meant calcium. I'm afraid I seem to have lost it!
All the best ...
OK, no problem - thanks for explaining!
I agree with you about organic food. The problem is everything in this country is driven by profit. What can we do or say that will make us more money or make us popular (which is done to make more money).Save of course for that portion of the population that just wants their head patted and told they're a good dog. It is quite frustrating I know that heat time and water can all destroy food value yet time and again someone is trying to sell me a product, that is processed, yet miraculously is "better" for me! It would be fun to have them say its bad for you but look at the pretty package you know you want it!
Thank you for your feedback, tyleman!
I do grow some of my own herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers. It's fun and healthy, but a lot of work.
Thanks for posting, SUSIE405! I am pleased to hear you grow your own!
Well, you've certainly made an interesting article. I try to do all that I can with a small organic garden; but I might expand it, and try to do away with the costs of buying vegetables altogether via the barter system; the system in which honesty and integrity prevail over fiat currency.
That all sounds good to me, Wesman! Thanks for posting!
You've presented both sides of this complex issue well. But there are two issues in your Hub I'd like to elaborate on.
Selective breeding. I don't think that can be included in the same artificial vein as genetic modification. Selective breeding is something that occurs in nature and has been understood since the mid 1800s, as a result of Mendel's experimentation. Selective breeding, hybridization, may be helped along by humans, but it's a process that could be assumed to occur naturally, unlike what happens during laboratory manipulation of genetic material where the risk is to deplete the gene pool, not expand it.
Defining "organic." Here in the US, a product cannot be sold as organic unless it is certified organic by an agency approved by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). So there's a bureaucratic layer applied to any food that claims to be organically grown. Of course, this doesn't apply to home gardens, unless you want to sell your produce over the wire instead of under it.
There's a huge can of worms here. Thanks for opening it.
I try to always buy organic foods whenever I can. I have been doing this for about 2 years now and I can definitely see a difference in my health! Thanks for the great read!
Sally's Trove, the point being made about genetically engineered and selectively bred organisms is that they do NOT survive well in natural conditions. Selectively bred plants tend to revert to the wild form with all green foliage and smaller flowers or they die out. How many selectively bred animals or plants do we see colonising areas on the world after escaping from being kept or cultivated? Yes you sometimes encounter an escaped domestic rabbit and we see white and other-coloured feral pigeons, cats and other animals but they are in a minority and I have never known of rabbit colonies of white or black rabbits that have bred from escaped parents.
Thanks for posting this. I think about the organic/ non-organic debate every time I shop, and I nearly always buy organic dairy products as a minimum. I read an article a while ago about the obesity epidemic, and the writer suggested that the 'beefing up' of cattle by genetic selection, and by the use of hormones, anti-biotics etc, is actually moving on through the food chain, creating the same effect in humans. I'm no scientist, but it made a lot of sense to me.
Yes, Amanda, there is the danger in America and elsewhere of Monsanto's bovine growth hormone in dairy produce! Let's have natural unpasteurised milk or none at all!
Great hub, I learned something I didn't know about organic foods, I thought they didn't use any pesticides, and haven't heard anything about the E coli from the cows. I have a big back yard that I've just been to lazy to plant and maintain a garden in, maybe now is a good time to finaly start one.
Thanks for posting, Phillip! I wish I had a garden - good luck with yours!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the benefits of organic foods.
Thank you for posting!
nice hub buddy..thats a bit of information
Thank you too!
Interesting hub, thanks. I try and buy organic produce whenever I can but sometimes I wonder if it is really worth the added expense. Glad to get some extra background on this issue.
Thanks for your comments!
Wonderful information on organic foods ,no doubt its good for health .
Thanks for your post!
Yes this is true organic is the way to go now, even with herbal shampoos, hemp lotions, and growing our own produce, etc. Thanks Bard of Ely, useful hub.
Thank you for your comments!
Hi Bard,
Interesting article. I've been eating organic for a while, but I think that that a lot of major producers have been playing loosely with the term organic. For me, I like eating local and organic.
Also, many folks complain about the price of organic food, yet they say nothing about the price of a flat screen TV, a pair of Air Jordan's, or a new car. We don't expect those items to be cheap, but yet expect that of our food. Personally, I would rather spend more for my food than pay for ongoing health care down the road.
You make some very good points so thank you for the feedback!
lmmartin 15 months ago
Growing organically depends on a rich earth, and unfortunately, much of our arable land is depleted of the nutrients required. Can we build up the earth organically on a large scale? To me, the most telling statement in your article is: Can organic methods produce enough food for an ever-growing population? And do so safely?
Excellent article. Rated up. Lynda