02 Sep 5 Reasons To Eat Organic

It’s more expensive and it often looks just the same as conventional produce, so are there evidence-based reasons to eat organic food? There are many reasons why choosing organic is a good decision for your health, for animals and for the environment. Here, we run through some of the main reasons to choose organic, and answer some commonly asked questions about pesticides in our diet.

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5 REASONS TO EAT ORGANIC

IT REDUCES YOUR EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES

Choosing organic fruit and vegetables means that your food hasn’t been routinely sprayed with numerous different pesticides. We have limited knowledge of the long term impacts of these toxic chemicals that are designed to kill living organism. However, it is understood that certain pesticides act as hormone disruptors and have the potential to cause cancer. We’ll discuss this more later on, and also explain why washing your vegetables won’t solve the issue.

IT’S MORE NUTRITIOUS

Research has shown that organic food is naturally richer in essential nutrients. Non organic farming often uses synthetic fertilisers to fertilise soil so that it can be used over and over again, often for growing the same types of crops. This is known to lead to nutrient devoid soils. Organic farming is much more focussed on traditional farming methods – crop rotation and fertilising the soils naturally in order to maintain the health of the soil. More nutrients in the soil means more nutrients in our food.

IT’S KINDER TO ANIMALS

Organically farmed animals are genuinely free range and have to adhere to very high levels of animal welfare. Unlike most farm animals, organically raised animals aren’t routinely fed antibiotics. It’s believed that the routine use of antibiotics in farm animals could be a key contributor to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.

IT’S GM FREE

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not allowed in organic food. If you want to avoid genetically modified food, opting for organic is an effective way to do so.

IT HELPS SAVE THE BEES

Not only does eating non organic produce mean you’re consuming unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals, it also has serious consequences for the environment and wild animals as well as farm animals. Non organic farming methods and certain pesticides are largely responsible for the dramatic decline in bee populations. Save the bees… choose organic.

WHY ARE PESTICIDES HARMFUL?

As well as having significant negative impacts on wildlife and the environment, pesticides also present health risks to humans.

A new study showed a significant association between pesticide exposure and an increased risk of various cancers. The study was published in Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society. In the conclusion, the researchers summarised that their “findings show that the impact of pesticide use on cancer incidence may rival that of smoking”. It was a significant study, analysing data from over 3,000 U.S. counties. It found positive associations between pesticide use and increased rates of colon, bladder, pancreatic, and lung cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukaemia. Pesticide use increased non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases by 154% compared to smoking. 

The research linking pesticides and other environmental toxins to cancer is becoming increasingly robust. The more we can do to reduce our exposure to these chemicals, the better.

PESTICIDES IN BRITISH PRODUCE

While the study mentioned above was carried out in the US, those of us in Britain and not much better off. Sadly, Brexit has made the problem of pesticide exposure worse for those of us who live in the UK. 

This article in the Guardian outlines changes to regulations in Great Britain that mean more than 100 items are now allowed to carry more pesticides when sold to the public.

According to a recent analysis, the amount of pesticide residue allowed on a range of different foods in England, Wales and Scotland has increased significantly since Brexit, with some now thousands of times higher.

“Safety limits have been undermined for a worrying list of pesticides” said Nick Mole from Pesticide Action Network UK. “At a time when cancers and other chronic diseases are on the rise, we should be doing everything we can to reduce our chemical exposure. In reality, we have no idea what this ongoing exposure to tens – or even hundreds – of different chemicals is doing to our health over the long term.”

CAN PESTICIDES BE REMOVED BY WASHING?

Not completely, no. Another recent study found that pesticides can penetrate the skin and pulp of fruit. Researchers used advanced imaging technology and found pesticides on apples at low levels, even after washing. Similar results were observed in cucumbers, prawns, and other foods. This indicates that washing conventionally farmed produce isn’t sufficient to eliminate the risk.

WHICH FOODS ARE THE WORST FOR PESTICIDES?

Every year, the Environmental Working Group releases its list of the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen, guiding consumers on pesticide residues in produce. Strawberries top the Dirty Dozen, which includes spinach, kale, grapes, and peaches, with 209 pesticides found across these items. The Clean Fifteen, featuring avocados, sweet corn, and pineapple, lists produce with the least pesticide residues. While organic is generally recommended, it’s not always accessible or affordable. Read the full list here.

HOW CAN YOU GO ORGANIC?

One easy way to access organic produce is to start ordering a weekly organic vegetable box from a company like Riverford. It can also mean a greater variety of vegetables in your diet and it supports the farm directly, rather than big supermarkets. Visiting your local farmers’ market or even trying to grow your own are also great ways to ensure you’re getting fresh, organic foods in your diet.

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