Are Organic Foods More Nutritious?
Are Organic Foods More Nutritious? As you’d expect they contain fewer pesticides and other contaminants, but their superior health benefits are not yet proven. Researchers at Stanford University, California reached this conclusion after analyzing several studies on humans and those on nutrients and contaminants in foods.
Published in Annals of Internal Medicine, this article focuses on the comparison of organic food and conventional food, for which the medical literature is quite abundant and also beneficial to consumers, while studies are rare for organic (three were analyzed ) and especially not for more than a few years. It is difficult, therefore, to judge the medium or long term consequences.
Looking at nutritional values, researchers did not find major differences between organic and non-organic foods, for example in terms of vitamin D, protein or fat content. Organic products were found to contain more phosphorus – but phosphorus deficiencies are not widespread.
And some studies show that organic milk is richer in omega- 3 fatty acids, that are known to have a protective effect on the cardiovascular health. Organic products were also found to have a richer phenolic content, that is believed to contribute to cancer prevention.
However, organic foods contain less contaminants. You’re 30% less likely to find pesticides in organic products as compared to conventional foods, knowing also that accidental contamination by pesticides are possible.
While the measures on non-organic foods that were included in the studies remained below permissible limits, two studies in children consuming organic or non-organic products found values of residues of pesticides lower among those who were on organic.
Finally, organic chicken and pork consumption exposes consumers less to antibiotic resistant bacteria, even if the risk of contamination by bacteria Escherichia coli type is not different in the two types of foods (organic vs non-organic).
However, the authors of the study conclude that despite extensive analysis on their part, the differences are not clinically significant. Stated differently, encouraging people to eat more of fruits and veggies- regardless of their type, is probably more beneficial to their health than choosing organic over non-organic.
Many believe that organic food is always healthier and richer nutritionally. And the spokesperson for the study claim to be surprised to not having achieved this result.
This study may reinforce the choice for consumers who prefer to pay more for foods with fewer contaminants, without ensuring that they will reap real health benefits. However, the authors stress the limits of their compilation, mainly because of the heterogeneity of the studies combined, with different test methods, and the lack of studies over long periods.
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