“Let’s have organic food this time”, a friend suggested. “You mean to say ‘let’s chomp on raw cabbage that is grown in god knows what!’” another retorted. And what followed, my friends, was a shocking yet informative lecture from my ‘organic’ friend.
The high points of the lecture
- Non-organic food often contains harmful hormones and pesticides that can cause allergies and hamper immunity in human body.
- Of the 450 types of pesticides and herbicides used in traditional farming methods, almost all contain a dangerous chemical called ‘Organophosphates’. The residue of this chemical in crop can cause cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in children, decreased male fertility, foetal abnormality, Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer in women, etc.
- Additionally, pesticides can also cause neurological problems, cancer, infertility, nausea, vomiting,
- diarrhea, allergies and asthma, wheezing, rashes and other skin problems, ADHD, birth defects and more.
- Non-organic farms can cause harmful pesticides and chemicals to enter water bodies such as lakes, rivers and oceans and contaminate drinking water and marine creatures.
- Non-organic farming causes soil erosion which in turn can cause floods.
If these facts haven’t given you a jolt, consider this – pesticides from non-organic food stays in human bodies for years together. Now we know pesticides are harmful and poisonous. So what does Common Sense 101 say? Don’t eat poison.
The many other benefits of using organic food:
Less Risk of Cancer and Heart Diseases
A $25 million survey conducted by European Union says organic fruit and vegetables have up to 50% more antioxidants, which scientists believe can cut the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Safe and healthy for young children
A research by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that chemicals and pesticides in food cross the placenta and enter the unborn babies’ body. Not only babies in the womb, but children in general, are at a higher risk due to these dangerous chemicals. Children, in particular, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of non-organic food. Their intake of food and water per unit of body weight is higher than that of adults. In addition to that, their relatively immature organ systems have limited ability to detoxify such harmful substances. Organic food is a very safe and healthy diet option for children.
No irradiation
Organic vegetables and fruits have a shorter shelf life. Food grown in conventional way usually lasts longer because they are irradiated using radio-active materials or X-ray or high energy electrons. While the irradiation kills the bacteria in the food, it also alters the molecular structure and life force of the fruit and vegetable. Given the fact that radio-active substances are harmful to us, it makes sense to stay away from ‘irradiated food’.
Good for Water and Soil
Through organic farming, nourishment is returned to the soil, which in turn creates better conditions for the crops to survive droughts and famines. Organically treated soil helps clean the water passing through it, traps carbon and thus acts as both filter and sponge. Less carbon in the atmosphere means fewer effects due to climatic changes.
There are no chemical fertilizers or pesticides used for organic farming, thus there is no risk of water being contaminated with such hazardous chemicals.
No GM Food
It is strongly believed that genetically modified food causes allergies and adversely affects our immunity system. Organically grown food is not genetically modified. So no GM food for me. What about you?
Tastes Great
If I told you that you could stay healthy without having to punish your taste buds, will you believe me? Well, you should. Because organic food doesn’t have artificial preservatives or additives or food colors that can come in the way of the ‘pure taste’. Not only do you get to taste the fresh unadulterated flavors of organic food but also get healthy all along.
Good for Your Wallet and Environment
It is established that traditional agricultural production consumes more fossil fuels than organic food production. According to a study, sustainable farming techniques use about 23% to 56% less fossil fuel than their conventional counterparts. When you buy organic food, you indirectly support sustainable farming, which in turn preserves the much in demand non-renewable fossil fuels.
The money spent on energy sources is saved, so fuel price hikes won’t happen all too often. You’ll shell out less for fuel. When non-renewable fossil fuels are preserved, the global warming impact too is subdued. Our planet will love it.
Boosts Biodiversity
James Randerson of newscientist.com says “Organic farming increases biodiversity at every level of the food chain - all the way from lowly bacteria to mammals. This is the conclusion of the largest review ever done of studies from around the world comparing organic and conventional agriculture.”
Organic farming means collecting and preserving naturally grown seeds. It also means reintroducing rare or unusual varieties of vegetables and fruits instead of genetically modifying the existing crop seeds. Organic crops use little or no herbicides and pesticides. So biodiversity fitness and population density benefit greatly from such farming method.
Not just that, according to a team of researchers from Washington State University and the University of Georgia organic farming increases biodiversity among ‘beneficial, pest-killing predators and pathogens.’
The moral of the story: Organic food is great for our health, safe for our children, beneficial for our animal kingdom and good for our environment, not to forget that they ‘taste’ yummy! So what if it costs us a few extra bucks? I’m any day willing to spend $10 more on a healthy and nutritious diet than drain thousands from my bank account to hospitals. Common Sense 101 J Chuck non-organic, choose organic.