The sales of organic produce and other foods continue to rise as word spreads that organic is better. Unfortunately, buying organic foods can put a strain on the grocery budget particularly when shopping at natural food markets where prices are usually higher. Ideally, all produce and other foods would be raised organically so the price would come down, but this seems unlikely in the near future. For those who are trying to reign in spending at the supermarket, is it really worth buying organic?
Organic is Healthier: Or is It?
There are two issues when it comes to whether or not organic is healthier and worth the extra cost. One centers around the belief that organic food is healthier from a nutritional perspective. It’s been widely claimed that organic vegetables contain higher levels of some vitamins and phytonutrients making them a more nutritious choice; but this was based on very small studies.
Recently a U.K. study analyzed fifty years of agricultural research and came to the surprising conclusion that organically grown food is no more healthful from a nutritional standpoint than conventionally grown food. They found no significant differences in nutritional content when they looked at thirteen different vitamin and nutrient categories. This included not only fruits and vegetables, but organically raised livestock as well.
Why Organic May Still Be Healthier
The other issue is whether organic is healthier from a safety standpoint. Produce that’s organically grown isn’t exposed to the pesticides that conventional produce is. Some types of conventionally grown produce are extensively sprayed with a variety of pesticides for which the long term health risks aren’t known. Even a thorough washing may not remove all of the residues found on conventionally grown produce. Although the levels of these residues may be low, if sufficient quantities of produce are eaten on a daily basis, the exposure can be significant.
What about Organic Meat and Dairy?
Conventionally raised livestock are given antibiotics and injected with hormones to increase their size and mass; and it’s unclear what effect this could have on humans, particularly children. There’s some thought that the hormones found in meat and dairy could be responsible for the earlier puberty some kids are experiencing.
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth Buying Organic?
Organic may not be healthier from a nutritional standpoint, but from a pesticide and hormone perspective it’s a healthier choice. The additional peace of mind that comes from knowing meat and dairy aren’t hormone enhanced may be worth the extra cost. If you’re on the fence as to whether to buy organic or not, consider buying organic for the dirtiest produce. The Environmental Working Group publishes a list of most highly sprayed fruits and veggies - apples, peaches, strawberries, cherries, imported grapes, pears, celery, lettuce, bell peppers, onions, asparagus, and cabbage. For meat and dairy, spend the extra money for organic, particularly if feeding children. Exposure to hormones at a young age could negatively impact their health later.
References:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. July 29, 2009
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