The Benefits of Eating Organic Foods
http://organicmixtures.com
Author: Arden Temple
For the past several years people have become more health conscious, thus learning about the true benefits of eating organic foods. Besides the long-term health benefits of changing your eating style to include foods that are organically grown, there are also health benefits that deal directly with specific food related diseases. Since the introduction of processed foods to the Western world, the annual rate of consumers who are affected by food-borne illnesses and pathogens has risen significantly. Diseases such as e-coli and salmonella are seen much more frequently since the introduction of processed foods. These illnesses are no longer confined to meat products. Fruits and vegetables are being found with pathogens that cause serious illness in consumers. This is also true in other parts of the world. When newly processed foods are introduced, consumers begin to notice a sharp increase in the number of people who are affected by food-related illnesses.
Of course another benefit of eating organic foods is the cost ratio. Purchasing your organically grown foods locally will not only help to increase your local economy, but with the current gas and oil crisis, you can save a substantial amount of money by shopping locally and eliminating the long drives that are often associated with grocery and food shopping. Although not every small town has an organic restaurant, it is safe to assume that virtually all offer organic foods as an alternative to processed foods.
The direct health benefits of eating organic foods are many. First of all, the taste of organic foods is much better than that of processed foods. The flavor of organic fruits and vegetables is wonderful and there are much juicier than processed versions. Organic milk tastes much richer as do cheeses prepared organically. Once you have tasted the wonderful flavor of organic foods it is likely that you will never again enjoy the processed version of that food.
Another very evident benefit of eating organic foods is that organically grown and/or raised foods have not been introduced to artificial pesticides. These pesticides are one of the reasons that so many consumers become ill each year. Organic farms which produce only naturally grown foods strictly ban the use of pesticides. Although we are raised to believe that washing fruits and vegetables eliminates the pesticide that may be on them, this is not always true. There simply is no way to ensure that you are removing all traces of chemicals that are sprayed on these foods when they are not organically grown. Pesticide residue can also be found in many baby foods, on bread and many other foods. Of course there are many governments that claim that these pesticides will not harm you, but ultimately it is much better for your overall health to ensure that you are not consuming any artificial or chemical components in your food supply. Eating organic foods is the only way to ensure that your food is completely free of pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
There has been much speculation on using genetically modified foods. Many people believe that they can be harmful as well. Organic products do not contain any GM foods. Although the health risks in long-term outlooks of GM foods have not yet been verified, it is much safer to avoid these and simply stick with completely natural organic foods.
As well as being completely pure foods, organic foods contain more nutrients, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than processed foods. This is in part due to the lack of processing that organic foods receive. Those foods that are processed are ridded of many of their essential vitamins and nutrients. Eating only organic foods, or those grown naturally, will ensure that you receive all the vitamins and minerals, as well as other important nutrients that you need to ensure your overall general health. Organic foods are pure. You get nothing added and nothing taken away. Organic foods contain none of the artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives that are found in processed foods. They are also not filled with residual antibiotics, growth hormones or BSE. With none of these additives found in organic foods, as well as the lack of pesticides that virtually all processed fruits and vegetables contain, choosing to eat organic foods simply makes sense if you are looking for a healthier alternative to filling your body with chemicals.
The benefits of eating organic foods are many. Besides the extra vitamins and other essential nutrients that you are getting, it is simply a more natural way to eat, without worrying about chemicals and other additives being found in your food supply. To avoid the risk of adding things to your body that you do not want, to avoid risky food-borne illnesses that are evident in many areas that consume large amounts of processed foods and to simply enjoy a healthier and more natural lifestyle, organic foods are an excellent choice.
This article has been contributed by Arden Temple of http://www.OrganicMixtures.com
The article is very partisan. What would you say to those who can’t afford organic foods. These food are naturally very expensive and beyond the reach of many people especially in poor countries. Those living in rich countries can afford to make a choice between organic and genetically modified foods. But those in countries like Ethiopia, Sudan or Eritrea can’t afford to engage in this kind of luxury. So, let’s be open-minded on what crops to plant and not to plant. I have just been reading a very interesting article on how genetically modified foods and their organic counterparts can, together, help in the alleviation of poverty and malnutrition, particularly in poor countries. The article is available here:http://www.gmofoodforthought.com/2008/05/agbioworld_members_discuss_org_2.html
As someone originally from a “poor country” where we grew our own vegetables and fruit, I would suggest other people from “poor countries” do the same, and in fact a lot of them do. People originally farmed organically and in some parts of the world never stopped. The African countries you mentioned have problems with climate, soil and politics that would affect them engaging in “luxuries.” I don’t see farming in the traditional manner as a luxury.
People/countries are free to do whatever they think is best for them but GMO is not a route I would encourage people to take especially in light of the fact that Monsanto is the big player in that field.
“Farmers who buy Monsanto’s patented Roundup Ready seeds are required to sign an agreement promising not to save the seed produced after each harvest for re-planting, or to sell the seed to other farmers. This means that farmers must buy new seed every year.” http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/monsanto200805
It would be interesting to see if farmers who try combining the two, also end up frustrated with the licensing aspects of using GMO seeds.
I am not 100% organic all the time, so I am not against a combination of methods but I would be real careful of who I would be working with and I personally worry about the long term results of eating GMO foods. I think in America it’s pretty clear that “fast food” and “processed food” has lead to an obesity problem. I encourage people to grow their own, buy it from a local farm, farmers market or a store (the store will probably be the most expensive).