Is Eating Organic Really Any Better For You?

A growing majority of consumers have begun to make the switch from conventionally-grown to organic produce hoping to feel a bit better about the food they’re eating and where it came from, even if it means dropping a few extra dollars each week on groceries. Since the latter half of the 20th century, organic agriculture has been cultivated into a multibillion dollar industry despite a lack of substantial research backing the very health benefits it promises its consumers, raising the question: is organic produce really any better for you?

To put it simply, numerous studies have shown that there are no significant differences between the nutritional content of conventionally and organically grown produce. On the contrary, organic farming’s approach to distancing itself from man-made substances, trading in the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for those found in nature in efforts to lower their dietary and ecological impacts, has introduced several obstacles that stand in the way of its goals as a more natural alternative to conventional farming. In fact, many scientists argue that these naturally derived pesticides are quite often no safer for consumers or the environment. One example of this is copper sulphate, a naturally occurring fungicide that is rapidly bioaccumulated and can be incredibly toxic even in low doses. Meanwhile, animal manure, the primary substitute for synthetic fertilizers, has been shown to greatly increase the risk of contamination by pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella in crops. This is especially concerning as fresh produce is often eaten raw and without the use of chemical treatment, leaving consumers nearly twice as susceptible to infection when compared to the risks of consuming conventionally grown crops.

This is not to say that organic agriculture is all bad, however. Despite negligible difference in nutritional content, organic produce has been shown to contain higher levels of important antioxidants which, despite having any substantial evidence indicating major health benefits, are generally believed to play a role in combating several forms of heart disease and cancers. In addition, the alternative pesticides used in organic farming are believed to decrease the symptoms in those with mild food allergies who may be allergic to certain types of synthetic compounds. Most of all, the widespread demand for organic agriculture is reassuring, as it indicates a movement towards increased awareness regarding where our food is coming from and what is in it. Organic agriculture done right implies a heightened regard for our bodies and our planet and should the aforementioned obstacles be overcome, true organic agriculture may very well be the farming of future.