Organic vs Conventional: Understanding the Benefits of Eating Organic

Organic foods offer a plethora of health benefits not found in conventional foods. Eating organic foods can improve your body’s overall health and well-being while also helping to protect the environment. But why organic?

Most organic foods are free from artificial fertilizers, hormones, and toxic pesticides, ensuring that no additional toxins, pesticides, or hormones enter your system, particularly during the purification process of Level 1. Eating organic foods can reduce your exposure to these hazardous chemicals, and can even help to promote better mental and physical health. Here are just a few of the benefits of consuming organic foods.

Organic produce has lower detectable levels of pesticides and other residue compared to conventionally grown foods. Pesticide exposure has been linked to extreme health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, so by reducing your exposure to these toxins, you can help keep your body healthier. Organic produce is also packed with antioxidants which help to prevent infections and boosts heart health.

Organic farmers use fewer toxic chemicals than conventional farmers, such as Cadmium which is naturally found in soils and absorbed by plants. It is also free from any artificial colorants, flavorings, emulsifiers, thickeners, consistency stabilizers, and acidity regulators that destroy its vitamin content, especially for bread. For the healthiest option, it is recommended to consume organic whole-grain products.

Organic livestock farming has specific feeding requirements, such as the primary use of grass and alfalfa for cattle, that can lead to generally higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in organic meats, dairy, and eggs. Omega-3s are essential fats that our bodies can not produce themselves, and help to protect the heart from diseases. In addition, organic meats tend to have lower levels of bacteria than conventionally produced meats.

Organic wild-caught fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, lower in fat than farm-bred fish, and typically has fewer traces of toxic chemicals such as Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs). PCBs can potentially cause cancer so it is important to select organic fish when possible.

Organic dairy contains less omega-6 fatty acids, with more omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 is important to diet but too much can result in heart disease and cancer. With organic dairy, you don’t need to worry about consuming too much.

By consuming organic foods, your system will acquire the increased amounts of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that you need to promote optimal digestive health. Eating clean, whole foods is key to sustaining gut health, and selecting organic is the first step.

For more information on the benefits of organic vs conventional foods, please check out the articles below.