organic foods better for you?

United States
June 16, 2012 6:20pm CST
I hear a lot of people say that organic foods are better for you for one reason or another, but have yet to see any primary literature that proves it. Can anyone point me to studies on the topic? My concern is that if we are using more farm land to produce less food and greater cost to both farmer and consumer, there had better be some benefit to the consumer. I also worry that a lot of the "health concerns" are triggered by hypothesis rather than scientific conclusion. For example, one might say people who eat a lot of organic food tend to be skinnier, therefore organic food is better for you. But we don't know is if they are skinnier because of the organic food, or because people who choose to eat organic are also more likely to make similar lifestyle chooses across the board. The same sort of person who will pay more for a spotty banana if they think it is better for them, will also choose a club salad over a cheeseburger.
1 person likes this
3 responses
sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
16 Jun 12
Here are a few sources: http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/organic_nutrition.cfm https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255 http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=17 http://www.health24.com/natural/Go_organic/17-673,22721.asp Overall, organic food is healthier. It contain more nutrients than conventially grown foods, your are not consuming pesticides or growth hormones, you are not eating meat that is fed questionable feed. Also, organic food taste better. The meat is leaner, fruits and vegetables taste how they should. Food tastes cleaner.
Troublegum
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
16 Jun 12
Just finished the article from the mayo clinic which seemed like it would be the most reliable as it comes from a respected medical facility. In there I didn't actually see any actual claim one way or another on the health benefits. If anything it seemed to suggest that we look more closely at each product rather than assume that just because it is organic it is better for us. I did look throw some the the primary literature behind the summary article and it was all on the requirements of being organic rather than the health benefit.
Troublegum
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
17 Jun 12
Just finished the organic consumer article which I would have thought would be very slanted towards organic foods, and it seems that their answer is that there is still a lot of debate on the subject but that the primary argument for organic is higher nutient levels, but just as many studies have found that this is not the. Case as those that have found that there are. At very least it seems that the difference must be marginal if there is this much inconsistency and confusion. We are then left to consider if it is worth the added expense and land use even if these levels are the smallest bit higher.
lkbooi
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
22 Jun 12
Hi Troublegum, the authentic organic products are healthy and nutritious. As what I know, there are totally no chemical fertilizers as well as pesticides are used to take care of the corps in the farm. This similar to poultry farms too. Certainly the expenses spending on all the organic stuffs using to take care of the corps and the fouls as well as the goats and cows are relatively higher compared to the ordinary ones. I don't think people who take solely organic food would be skinnier, if they don't eat them balanced. Weight will raise easily as well if taking too much carbohydrate and fatty stuffs even all of them are organic Happy posting and have a nice day
Troublegum
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
22 Jun 12
I wasn't suggesting that organic foods would make you skinnier, I was saying that if you did a study of people who eat 50% or more organic food they would be skinnier, not necessarily because the food is better, but because the type of person who would pay double for an apple that was grown organicly because they think it is better for them is likely not to blow that perceived health benefit by eating at burger king every day. As for the chemicals, I hear a lot of people say what you just said, but I am still looking for a study that showed that there are actually either health risks with eating non-organic apples or real benefits of eating organic.
magtibaygom
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
21 Jun 12
Preferring organic foods over the commercially produced ones, eliminates the danger accumulating toxins from the chemicals used in farming, like chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, etc. I too, prefer to eat organic foods. This assures me that I am taking food on its pure, natural form.