Organic health foods have become more available at supermarkets. But are they safer and more nutritious than their non-organic counterparts?
Women consuming diets rich in organic produce, dairy and meat were less likely to give birth to boys with hypospadias or cryptorchidism in one study. But organic food’s benefits may go further than that.
Pesticides
Studies show that eating organic food can lower exposure to pesticides such as organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides, fungicides and herbicides – chemicals which have been linked with cancer, infertility, allergies, asthma, eczema and other health issues.
Chronic low-level exposure to these chemicals through our food sources has been shown to cause harmful effects, particularly among infants and children. Some have even been linked with thyroid disease.
Organically produced food tends to contain less chemicals, leading to higher nutrient content in fruit and vegetables. Organic carrots, spinach and lettuce have higher levels of Vitamin C, iron and magnesium while having reduced nitrates than conventional varieties; additionally organic dairy boasts less antibiotic use as well as more beneficial fatty acids compared with non-organic varieties; unfortunately it tends to cost more; however you could save money by shopping sale items at farmers markets or seasonal produce.
GMOs
Genetically modified foods (GM) are foods containing genes from other plants or animals, often with the aim of increasing yield or making it resistant to certain pests; for instance, GMO corn contains genes from Bacillus thuringiensis for insect resistance. Some individuals are concerned that eating genetically modified food may lead to health risks like cancer or DNA changes, while other environmental concerns include beliefs that GM crops tamper with nature in ways that could have unintended repercussions for both the environment and people’s wellbeing.
Pediatricians can motivate families to reduce GM food by emphasizing affordable, accessible, minimally processed options such as fruits and vegetables, nuts or seeds, herbs, legumes, whole grains and healthy fat sources – as well as local farmers markets which tend to carry products less likely to contain GMO ingredients. They should also advise them when possible purchasing organic produce to limit pesticide exposure in their diets.
Fertilizers
Many believe organic health foods to be healthier than their non-organic, conventional counterparts for various reasons, including reduced pesticide residues and higher levels of beneficial secondary plant metabolites like vitamin C, polyphenols, and resveratrol. Furthermore, no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors are allowed during organic food production.
Fertilizers are materials designed to assist plants in growing by providing essential nutrients that they cannot obtain from soil alone. Fertilizers come from both natural and chemical sources and may come either straight or complex forms – straight ones typically providing one primary plant nutrient such as nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium while complex fertilizers contain two or more primary plant nutrients in one form (granular form or liquid or solid form).
Studies have demonstrated that organically produced fruits, vegetables and grains contain more vitamins and minerals – including vitamin C, carotenoids and antioxidants like lutein and lycopene – than their conventionally produced counterparts; additionally organic meat has less exposure to toxic metals like cadmium.
Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified foods (GMOs) are defined as foods modified with genes from other organisms to enhance its growth, development, or taste. Examples include plants resistant to drought or disease as well as animals modified so as to produce more milk or meat than usual.
Some Americans remain dubious of the impacts of genetically modified (GM) foods. Three in ten of them feel scientists are often motivated by industry pressure when researching GMOs. Furthermore, these individuals believe rat feeding studies–in which animals are fed potentially toxic items and then examined for adverse health effects–don’t reliably predict human responses to them.
Many families opt to avoid genetically modified (GM) foods due to concerns over environmental, safety or nutrition impacts. Pediatricians can provide clear information regarding what we know about the safety of GM food products so families can make choices that suit them – for instance opting for organic options can significantly lower exposure to pesticides in food supply chains.
