Everything that you eat has a direct impact on your body. This is why it’s extremely important to eat high-quality food. Organic food is of higher quality than conventional food. Its popularity has been increasing steadily over the past years due to people understanding the problems associated with conventional food. Yet many people still buy conventional produce and food-like products. Let’s examine some of the benefits of choosing organic.
Reasons Why People Don’t Buy Organic
Many people are still buying conventional food instead of choosing organic but why? Here are some of the reasons:
- Being unaware of toxicity in conventional foods: Many people still consume conventional food because of a lack of knowledge about the high levels of toxins associated with conventional food. These unhealthy foods are associated with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, gastric and skin disorders, allergies, weight gain, inflammatory conditions, and even cancer.
- Thinking there is no difference between organic and conventional foods: Many still consume conventional food because they don’t think it matters; they don’t know there is a real difference between conventional and organic food. Not knowing the difference between organic and conventional food is the only excuse that makes sense. If you are not convinced about the benefits of organic food, you can do your own research so you can provide your body with all the nutrients that it needs.
- Price: Others don’t buy organic food because it is more expensive. Yet, you must realize that you pay more for organic food because it is better food, of higher quality. Would you prefer to buy a house in a dirty, dilapidated, polluted, crime-ridden area? Or would you prefer to buy real estate in a low-crime area that’s pristine with lots of greenery, low pollution, access to high-quality education, and well-functioning infrastructures? Think about it that way.
- Not thinking long term: Many others refuse to think long term. They don’t think about the impact that conventional food has on their health over time. It’s a matter of perspective. You are right, organic food is more expensive than conventional food and looks the same. However, is it really expensive in the big picture? How about illness? How expensive is being sick? Is saving some dollars worth your health? Being sick means doctor visits, medications, medical procedures, and a poor quality of life. All these factors are way more expensive.
Benefits of Choosing Organic
Some people think that organic food is “too expensive,” while others think that there is no difference between regular food and organic “highly-priced” food. However, the difference between organic and conventional food is enormous!
Here are some differences between organic and conventional food and practices, and the benefits of choosing organic:
Toxicity Levels
Conventional foods are mass-produced foods that don’t have an organic label. Non-organic foods have toxic ingredients such as antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, additives, preservatives, and allergens.
The amount of toxins in conventional food is significant. Toxic ingredients accumulate in the body and contribute to the development of diverse health conditions. Research shows that high toxicity causes headaches, nausea, weakness, respiratory issues, nerve disruption, and even cancer. Therefore, lowering the toxic load is recommended via detoxification.
Organic farming practices, on the other hand, necessitate growing crops and raising livestock without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, or growth hormones. Organic farmers prioritize soil health as the foundation of their farming practices. Some of the common organic farming practices also involve crop rotation, composting, natural pest management, mulching, cover cropping, and livestock Integration.
Nutrient Content
Organic farming avoids the use of toxic compounds and focuses on soil health and biodiversity, which results in produce containing higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Nutrient-dense food is essential for the proper functioning of the human body. It provides energy, supports growth and development, regulates bodily functions, helps maintain tissue and organ health, and prevents various chronic diseases. Without an adequate intake of essential nutrients, various health problems can arise, including deficiencies and impaired immune function.
In comparative studies, organic vegetables have been shown to have greater nutritional benefits. They have a higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins, and lower levels of sodium and nitrates. This “could explain some of the effect of the diet on patients affected by certain syndromes.”
In a literature review, Crinnion 2010 reported that organic food is associated with greater nutritional values and lower toxin levels. Organic produce offers significantly larger levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, and significantly lower residues of nitrates and pesticides than non-organic varieties of the same foods.
At the same time, organic produce supplies greater levels of antioxidant phytochemicals (anthocyanins, flavonoids, and carotenoids). These compounds provide a potent suppressor effect to toxic compounds, which induce cell mutation and cancerous conditions.
Agriculture
Organic food supports sustainable agriculture. Choosing organic foods supports environmentally friendly farming practices, which can have broader benefits for human health and well-being in the long term, as well as for our ecosystems.
Investment in Health
A study of over 1,200 food consumers found a strong correlation between organic food consumption and higher educational levels. More consumers of organic foods had science education backgrounds and knowledge of the genetic engineering of foods. Organic food consumers rated health and food nutritional content as the most important motivating factors in making food choices. On the other hand, many non-organic consumers rated price as very important. It seems that health consciousness is the incentive behind purchasing organic.
Time to Prioritize Your Health
The food you consume is not an irrelevant issue, it’s extremely important. What you put into your body has a direct impact on your health and the quality of your life, as well as your family’s well-being. Consuming foods higher in toxins and lower in nutrients equates to a higher risk of disease. The issue boils down to your appreciation for your body and the state of your health. When you take your health for granted and don’t take responsibility for it, you pay for the consequences of those choices sooner or later.
When you think about the price of organic food, remember that you pay a high price either way. You can pay a higher price for your food now or you pay a much higher price when you are sick. This is not only a financial issue – Being ill means time off from work and your loved ones, as well as a lower quality of life.
Organic food is better for your body from a nutritional point of view. It’s also fresher, as well as much more delectable. This is the case for the supplements you consume – aim to buy organic supplements since they don’t have toxic ingredients that increase your toxic load. So, is buying organic food worth it? Well, you tell me!
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
