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Q & A
Organic or Not?
By Marissa Lippert, M.S., R.D., for EatingWell Magazine March/April 2008
Is organic produce healthier than conventional? Here are three facts to consider:
- Eating organic berries instead of conventional ones can reduce your exposure to pesticides, and recent research suggests that it also may give you a nutrient boost. Last year, a study out of Newcastle University in the United Kingdom reported that organic produce boasted up to 40 percent higher levels of some nutrients (including vitamin C, zinc and iron) than its conventional counterparts.
- Additionally, a 2003 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that organically grown berries and corn contained 58 percent more polyphenols—antioxidants that help prevent cardiovascular disease—and up to 52 percent higher levels of vitamin C than those conventionally grown.
- Recent research by that study’s lead author, Alyson Mitchell, Ph.D., an associate professor of food science and technology at University of California, Davis, pinpoints the mechanism by which organic techniques may sometimes yield superior produce. It’s a difference in soil fertility, says Mitchell: “With organic methods, the plants glean the nitrogen from composted soil and grow slowly, with their nutrients in balance. Vegetables fertilized with conventional liquid fertilizers grow like crazy and use less energy to develop antioxidants.”
Buying conventional produce from local farmers also has benefits. Nutrient values in produce peak at prime ripeness, just after harvest. As a general rule, the less produce has to travel, the fresher and more nutrient-rich it remains.
Bottom line: “Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables in general [not necessarily organic ones] is the point,” says Mitchell. If buying all organic isn’t a priority—or a financial reality for you—you might opt for organic specifically when you’re selecting foods that are most heavily contaminated with pesticide and insecticide residues. According to the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org), those include peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes and pears.
Learn more:
Browse our healthy collections for recipes to boost your vegetable and fruit intake.
Discover how eating more produce helps your heart.
Learn how to find the “greenest” produce. (What do those labels really mean?)
Read our special report on organic foods.
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| USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment |
I'm not a scientist, but I once did "ask a scientist" this same question. I'm convinced that organic is a fad, and eventually people will catch on that organic does not mean more nutritious food. It uses more energy to produce marginally additional benefit (if any). Organic is a method which allows people to feel like they're doing something good for the environment. If you don't want fertilizer residues on your produce, WASH IT! You should be doing that anyway. Strange beliefs abound when our schools don't properly teach science.
RB, Irvine, CA |
I'm not a scientist, but I am a small organic farmer and have been growing/selling produce year round for seven years. The first thing I learned was the nutrients plants need are the very nutrients our body needs. Coincidence... I think not. The healthier the soil the healthier the produce. All those expensive vitamin supplements... not me. Using organic methods, my soil is such that I've started using a old fashioned wheel hoe to till my soil. Yes, it DOES take a lot of energy to grow organic produce... PHYSICAL ENERGY. No petroleum based fertilizers either. Ask my customers how good my produce tastes, how wonderfully aromatic it is, how long it lasts (w/o preservatives) and how beautiful it looks. If it's a fad... I'm out of business.
Linda Boyd, Oxford, MS |
I found an item listing the pesticides & insecticides in fruit & veg. After I read that I decided to switch to only organic fruit & veg.
The pesticides, herbicides & insecticides are poison to our bodies. No wonder people are always sick and cancer of all kinds are on a rise. Our bodies were not made for that poison.
J Young, Calgary AB,Canada, AB |
I absolutely like the idea that I can buy fresh fruits & vegetables without harmful chemicals on them to make them look better. The problem: Organic is very expensive... I try to buy ALL organic berries & all greens, including broccoli, arugula, & all other leafy greens greens, since these are the most fragile, along with tomatoes. When it comes to buying produce with a thicker skin, like oranges, watermelon, or cantalope and any type of squash, like butternut or spagetti squash, I stick with the non-organic. I feel better knowing that I am eating chemical & pesticide free foods, it's just that my pocketbook can't always afford it! I hope, in the future, the price of organic will come down a bit, so we can all eat healthy foods.
Francesca, New York State, NY |
I buy about 98% organic. The rest, natural. RB you sound like a "plant" from the chemical companies. Don't you get it? When the rain washes the toxin off the plant, it goes into the soil where the plant then soaks it up through its roots and into the fruits that you eat. Organic is the way to go! Linda, keep doing what your doing! We owe you and many like you a big THANK YOU! We know the FDA does not help/care about organic farmer in anyway! Keep up the good fight people!
xqqme, Kenosha, WI |
Dear RB, I AM a scientist, I EAT as much organic food as possible, and I DO know that organic food is better for everyone. You mention the amount of "energy" it takes to produce organic food and I'm not certain what you mean by this. Organic farming is more labor intensive - requires more tilling to reduce weeds, but those techniques are primarily used on the huge commercial farms, such as those run by Cascadian Farms. I DO know that chemical fertilizers contain huge amounts of petrochemicals, just like our oil and gasoline. It seems THIS is a waste of our planet's natural resources and "energy." I do agree that organic foods may contain the same nutrients as non-organic, but that misses the point that non-organic foods contain the non-nutrients, ie chemicals that no one should be ingesting. I hate to tell you, but washing food does not remove all the chemical residues. Strange beliefs certainly do abound.....
KAP, Acton, MA |
RB, In my opinion the more important issue with organics isn't the use/type of fertilizer but more importantly the use of pesticides and herbacides. It seems crazy to me to think that ingesting poisonous residue on our fruits and vegetables will not have an adverse side effect over time! And when you start to think about the mass loss of bees you wonder what the eventual effects could be. If chemical free worked for 1000's of years why change it now?
Jeffrey, Carlsbad, CA |
The two main reasons that I eat organic produce are because it is scientifically proven that organic is better for me, and (perhaps not scientifically proven, I'm not sure) better for the environment. I, too, hope that eventually organic produce will be cheaper so that more people can afford it. My boyfriend and I are both struggling students, but I am willing to invest in my health.
Penny, Edmonton, AB |
To me it doesn't matter if the nutrition between organic and non-organic were the same. I personally try to choose organic as much as the purse will allow. There are many reasons for choosing more organics for my family. The main reason is the fact that the harmful chemicals aren't on the food. My two young girls LOVE their fruits and veggies. I feel better knowing that what they are putting in their bodies is more natural and not coated with the pesticides. They also know the difference in taste of the organic vs. the non. The organics are more vibrant in color and just better in taste! My girls absolutely LOVE organic blueberries and strawberries. In the end tho everyone has a choice. My personal choice is organic. I feel it's not only better for the environment, but so much better for our bodies.
Desiree, Clarksville, TN |
Try "real" organic milk over the regular white stuff. A world of difference in flavor. I support organic and local foods as much for a political statement as health. Large agro businesses can pollute land and water and cause major problems to our environment. Small and organic farms are much less likely to do that. Monster farms (huge feedlots etc.) can make for cheap food but at an environmental and health cost. Support your organic and small local farmers. Buying local as much as possible, is the "green" way to go as it avoids transportation fuel and handling costs. But be aware, not all organic food is equal. Check it out. Judy, WI
Judy, Eau Claire, Wi |
If you think there are no benefits to eating organic, I would disagree heartily. I used to take allergy pills year round - I assumed it was due to the normal allergens in the air. I got started on organic from my daughter who is a vegetarian who also sticks mostly to organic. I wanted to support her especially since my grandbaby was born. Guess what! I no longer have any problems with allergies (eat the same food - just organic or local grown natural) and no longer have a need for any allergy pills... or for that matter any drugs. Organic may cost more up front, but the cost of doctors, preventative medicines and all that entails are no longer necessary. I also have no need for vitamin supplements. So I think I am ahead of the game money wise. If that isn't a good enough reason look at the environmental and economic benefits, keeping local farmers in business etc. Take a look at a co-op or CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). This may help those who do not eat organic due to costs. Your in for a treat when you not only eat local when it's the freshest, but organic. I'm lucky we have organic CSAs where I live!
Linda, Hamburg, PA |
I prefer buying locally, supporting my state's economy and eating products that traveled less than 200 miles away rather than purchasing an organic product that traveled 2000 miles away. I can't always buy my produce locally because of the area I live in, but once farmers market season approaches, I'm there! I think this is most important. If you are able to purchase locally grown organic products, GREAT! But my feeling is any "benefit" from buying organic is canceled out by the pollution emitted in order to get that product to your dinner plate. I also have to agree that growing organic food is far more labor intensive. And if you think of it, NOTHING is 100% organic because there is no method of preventing runoff water from reaching non-chemically treated land. So, as is always the case, nothing is clear-cut. But if you care about the environment and you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint, choose local over organic that has to travel.
APH, Edison, NJ |
I tried organic foods once but decided to go non-organic because I would rather have trace amounts of chemicals in my food than e-coli carrying cow dung. Plus non-organic just tastes so much better. I hate the after-taste organic food leaves in my mouth. Also, I do not like organic food people because they always call me nasty names when I disagree with them. Some are intelligent enough to defend their decision but most are emotional whiners who want to shove their save-the-world-lifestyle down everybody else’s throat.
Jeff, Dallas, TX |
RB, I don't mean to be rude, but apparently you are not a very bright person. Think before you speak or make statements.
Clem, Akron, OH |
I think it is a fad to people whom just come upon the idea of eating organic. Organic gardening has been around a long time, and I have been eating organic foods for 35 years.
Suzanne, Moorhead, MN |
I have a condition where I have a reaction to most types of preservatives. I now eat organic only and all of my symptoms have vanished.
Tina, Bloomfield, MN |
I would really like to try this. I have hepatitis-c i wonder if this will work on me.
Dewey, Lakeland, FL |
I try to eat as many organic foods as possible, but everyone is correct in saying that usually the organic is quite a bit more expensive. I asked my Naturopath if I should be eating ALL organic, and she said the most important things to eat organic are the foods highest up on the food chain (meat, dairy, etc.) It is not AS important to eat other foods organic. Non-organic fruits and veggies are okay if they have a peel. Stay away from Chilean grapes, they have the most pesticides out of all the fruits.
Krista, Denver, CO |
Well i think organic is fine it taste better including cereal ive tried salads, dressings, bananas yogurt etc. and taste better than regular well again thats my opinion.
maggie nava, Orange, CA |
I read where some organic produce was grown in soil that tested 75 percent positive for ddt insecticides used in the 70s. also some jarred organic foods had higher levels then would be allowed by the government because of contamination from businesses and airplane spraying.. also organic in other countries have more leanient rules then in the us and much of our produce is from other countriesl .....buy fresh and wash it!!
Jerry, Morristown, NJ |
Ummm, what the heck eating organic food, makes your skin brighter, you feel better, and it's not filled with harmful pesticides that keep most of us sick!! or Really unhealthy...remember...beauty starts on the inside;)
beyonce, Brooklyn, NY |
We eat organic tomatoes every day, and they are much cheaper and tastier. We planted several different varieties over several weeks, and every day we have 3-6 vine-ripe, e-coli free, pesticide-free beauties. Plant your own, America!
RS, Tampa, FL |
Thats why I drink as much beer as possible. All natural, no preservatives. And so much more fun that broccoli. LOL!!!
Joe, Huntington, WV |
Going organic has changed myself and my family. I have had some odd health issues and it wasn't until I went as organic as possible that things started to change for me. What a blessing! Oh and my skin is softer, interesting...
Maria, Salt Lake City, UT |
Well after a lot of research I think that eating organic has a lot of pros to it and I agree with Linda if you monitor how much you are spending to feed your body right in the end you will have spent a lot less in a year then not due to medical issues and so forth. Over the past year I saved over 700 dollars on medical and eating non organic foods alone. After a while you even start losing the constant need for fast food.
Ashley, Houston, TX |
All you have to do is try an organic vegtable and a non organic. If you can't see and taste the difference then stick with whatever.
Paul Stone, Covington, LA |
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