Know advantages of organic food and Go Organic!

I am sure you must have heard a lot of buzz about organic foods lately. Wondering what all this is about and organic food facts? Well, here it is all. In simple words, going organic means consuming healthier fruits and vegetables which are toxic free, that is free of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Organic fruit and vegetables have higher nutrient value and organic foods benefits. Moreover, since they are produced using organic farming methods which are devoid of pesticides and fertilizers, they help in saving and conserving our natural environment as well. But, as every good thing comes with a limiting factor, often these foods are expensive since organic farming involves manual labor. It may not be possible for everyone to afford a 100% organic diet, so knowing what tops the lists of going organic can help you play smart with your penny.

What is Organic Food?

Organic food is the food that is produced using environmentally and animal-friendly farming methods on organic farms. That is they are produced without the use of the synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or ionizing radiation (a form of radiation used to kill bacteria) or biotechnology. These methods are legally defined, and any food sold as ‘organic’ must be strictly regulated.

Why Buy Organic?

Simply put, organic is more sustainable and healthier for you, your family, organic farm workers, and the environment. Often the pesticides and chemical fertilizers used for cultivation of fruits and vegetables, are found to cause birth disorders, infertility, liver abnormalities, neurological impairment, etc. Apart from this they contaminate your environment too. You don’t want to put unwanted chemicals into your body, so know all the benefits of eating organic foods. Do you? Therefore, always check the food labeling, for you may not be doomed while navigating the grocery aisle.

Benefits of Organic Food

Organic foods offer a variety of benefits. Some studies claim that organic foods have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, comparatively to their counterparts that are grown conventionally. In addition, people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives often find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods.

1. Organic food contains fewer pesticides

Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticide exposure since their immune system and the body parts and systems are still in the developing phase. Also women who are in their pregnancy stage must be careful and make sure they consume toxic free food. Hence you can opt for organic food which has been produced using organic farming practices, free of pesticides.

2. Organic food is often fresher and tastier

Organic food does not contain preservatives to make it last longer, and therefore it is fresher than conventional food. Also, it is often produced on smaller farms near where it is sold. Since the food is fresh, there is no doubt that it tastes better.

3. Organic food farming is harmonious with environment

Organic food farming does not cause any kind of air, water, soil pollution. In fact it conserves water, improves soil fertility, reduces soil erosion and consumes less energy. This is in turn does not harm small animal, birds and humans living nearby.

4. Organic food is free of genetic modification.

Why would there be need to genetically modify a seed? Most common crops like corn, soy, cotton are sprayed with heavy doses of pesticides that would otherwise damage the crops if their genetic structure had not been altered to withstand these chemical substances. Organic food cannot be grown using genetically altered seeds.

I am sure, now after knowing all these wonderful organic food health benefits, you must be wondering which fruit and vegetables you can buy organic. So, take a note of these few foods that you can buy organic.

List of Organic Foods

#1. Peppers and Celery

Peppers and celery are more prone to absorb pesticides, like a sponge. About 68 percent of it contain pesticides and many are imported from different countries.

There is no chance you can wash the pesticides away thoroughly, so it is better you opt for organic peppers and celery.

#2. Leafy Greens: Lettuce, Spinach and Collard Greens

These plants actually have a lot of surface area for the pests to survive. Pesticides are usually sprayed on them to drive away insects but organic farmers mostly use methods like non-toxic repellents to keep these vegetables free of pests. More than 83 percent of spinach contains pesticides.

#3. Potatoes

Potatoes contain pesticides even after they are washed and peeled. Almost 80 percent of potatoes contain pesticides. So why not go for organic potatoes.

#4. Apples

An apple a day can definitely keep your doctor away. But what if it is your apples that is making you fall ill now and then due to their pesticide content. Apples are near the top of the high-pesticide-level list. Its better you buy them organic as it’s one of the most widely consumed fruit according to USDA.

#5. Peaches and Pears (h4)

Nearly 94 percent of the peaches and pears contain pesticides. Peaches stand in the first place in the list of foods with higher concentration of pesticides according to the environmental working group. Even if you take off the peel, the pesticides often retain, hence preferably go for organic peaches and pears. So stop wondering what’s this organic food all about, and go for it!

Why not encourage your friends too to go organic and form an organic food gang? You will surely relish it, so get the list of organic food! So what is your next target in organic food and kick off non organic food?

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