We all know that organic products contain less pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics and hormones. Does it mean that they are better of us? Theoretically yes, but until now, scientists have not been able to completely prove this.
Are you then wasting you money on organic food? Read this article and judge for yourself!
A little bit of science
1.Many studies have been conducted to try to understand the health benefits of organic products, patients were followed for many years and this is what has been found so far:
People who eat organic food regularly have lower incidence of certain diseases...
But... these individuals tend to have a healthier lifestyle in general. For example, they eat more fruits and vegetables. Therefore we still can't prove that organic food consumption is the main reason why people have less diseases.
2.Organic food has not been proven to protect against cancer as a general disease.
The only type of cancer that was less recurrent in people who ate organic food was non-hodgkin's lymphoma, which accounts for only 4% of all cancers. Again, we are not sure of this result is truly linked to the eating behaviours of the patients.
Interestingly, people who adhered to an organic diet, were most likely to have suffered from cancer in the past. Did the diagnosis change their way of life? Possibly!
3.Consumption of organic food could protect against allergies and eczema
This is mostly linked to the consumption of organic milk and meat.
Consumers, beware!
1.Labels can trick you into thinking that organic is healthier. A study has shown that people think organic food has lower calories and higher nutritional value. That is not always the case. For example, most of organic biscuits contain a lot added sugars.
2.Organic products does not mean free-from-all. The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) allows the use of certain products could contain traces of chemicals such a medicines in livestock (e.g. aspirin).
3.Don't confuse terms such as "free-range,"hormone free" or "natural" with organic. These food labeling terms are not regulated by law.
Tips before you go
Here at Dr Marly says, our aim is to make you life easier and simpler. Since the results are still inconclusive with regards to organic food on health, we thought we would give you a list the products that contain the high levels of pesticides. If you want to buy organic products, these should be at the top of your list.
Vegetables: Spinach, green peas, beans and onions, squash.
Fruits: Apples, pears, peaches and berries.
References:
1.http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/incidence
2.Brantsæter AL, Ydersbond TA, Hoppin JA, Haugen M, Meltzer HM. Organic Food in the Diet: Exposure and Health Implications. Annu Rev Public Health. 2017 Mar 20;38:295–313.
3.Hurtado-Barroso S, Tresserra-Rimbau A, Vallverdú-Queralt A, Lamuela-Raventós RM. Organic food and the impact on human health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Nov 30;1–11.
4.https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/eating-organic-food-wont-make-you-healthier/#conclusion
5.https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/organic-food-is-natural-worth-the-extra-cost#1
6.https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/01/25/organic-101-allowed-and-prohibited-substances
7.https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means
8.Jeeny Lee. You taste what you see: Do organic labels bias taste perceptions? Food Qual Prefer. 2013;29(1):33–9.
