Are Organic Foods Worth the Hype?

Over the last few years, we have heard regularly from various media sources about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and organic foods. For some reason, they have been trying to convince us that organic foods are not different from conventionally grown produce. The ramifications of this advice are trifold: the genetic modification of our food supply, the intense spreading of pesticides on crops, and the deteriorating nutrient density and quality of our food. We are going to discuss the latter two issues.

The utilization of pesticides has completely compromised the topsoil. Topsoil is the upper, outermost layer of soil, usually the top 2 to 8 inches, depending on the area. It has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms and is where most of theEarth’sbiologicalsoil activity occurs. Plants generally concentrate their roots in and obtain most of their nutrients from this layer. Pesticides and intense farming have eroded this critical part of soil.

Consequently, the soil is becoming depleted in important nutrients that plants require to grow strong and healthy. Among others, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and chromium are minerals that are becoming rare in the soil and, therefore, rare in our food. For example, organic carrots grown in the 1950s contained more than 40 times the vitamin A than organic carrots grown today. Even if we eat well, we are not getting the same nutrition as individuals 60-70 years ago. Even so, a study performed at Stanford clearly demonstrated the superiority of organic foods versus conventionally grown ones. Indeed, this study showed that organic foods are greatly more nutritious, in that they contain more vitamins and minerals, proving that organic foods should be part of a healthy diet in order to provide what the body requires to properly function and prevent disease.

The same study also demonstrated that there is much less pesticide residue on organic crops. This is critical since pesticides are known to cause infertility, cancer, respiratory disorder, hormonal issues, Parkinson disease, birth defects, organ failure, skin problems, and digestive issues, among others. Eating organic is the best way to minimize our exposure to these toxic compounds.

In conclusion, science is very clear about it: organic foods are greatly superior to conventionally grown crops. They contain more nutrients, like vitamin A, magnesium, zinc, etc. Per the definition of organic, no pesticides are allowed to be sprayed on the crops. Therefore, organic foods do not have pesticides or they exist in minute amounts. Taken together, we should go to our roots and grow our vegetables and fruits like nature intended us to, without the use of pesticides and in harmony with our environment.