Is Organic Food Really Better for You?
Do you purchase organic food? If so, do you focus mainly on produce, meat and dairy, or are your pantry items organic as well? Or, are you someone who doesn’t believe organic is better? Are you content with buying the best items your family can afford, and if that includes some or no organics, you’re okay with that?
Regardless of your shopping habits, I thought you might be interested in a recent study conducted by Stanford University. Known to be the most comprehensive analysis to date, it compares organic and conventionally grown produce. I found the results quite fascinating and wanted to share them with our savvy readers.
Here is a brief synopsis from the report:
- There is no significant difference in vitamin content between organic and regular produce.
- There is no difference in fat or protein content between organic and regular milk.
- There is a small amount of evidence suggesting that organic milk may contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids versus regular milk.
- Organic produce is 30% less likely to contain pesticides than regular produce, however organic items are not 100% pesticide free.
- Pesticide levels of non-organic food fell within the allowable safety limits, as set out by the government.
- Two studies in the review found lower levels of pesticides in the urine of children who ate an organic diet versus a conventional one; however, the urinary levels in both groups of children fell below the safety thresholds.
- Results suggest that organic produce is more likely to be contaminated with E. coli. Organic produce, using manure for fertilization, is much more likely to contain the bacteria than produce from a farm that does not use animal waste.
Whether you purchase organic items or not, do the findings of this report sway your opinion either way? Are you more likely to add organic items to your grocery cart or does this make you feel that they really aren’t worth the extra dollars?
