Here’s why you should buy organic

Is organic food any better? Is there any nutritional difference between organic and non-organic food?

It may seem daunting to eat 100% organic food, especially with the extra cost involved. But the benefits of organic food are incredibly worthwhile for your health and the planet. If you’re still wondering why you should buy and eat organic, here’s what might help you make up your mind.

The problem of non-organic

Non-organic fruit and vegetables are overwhelmingly sprayed with pesticides. Crops in non-organic farming are exposed to nearly 300 pesticides and herbicides (weed killers) which can be harmful not only to our health but the environment too. The problem is that these pesticides make their way into the food we eat.

You probably think that scrubbing your produce when you get home will not only wash away any dirt but also help to remove any pesticides. But unfortunately, thoroughly washing and scrubbing your fruit and vegetables is a waste of time. It doesn’t make a huge difference. This is because the residue of pesticides penetrates through the peel into the flesh of fruit and vegetables.

How about organic food?

Organic food contains fewer pesticides and is produced with natural fertilisers from plants. No synthetic fertilisers involved whatsoever. Organic farmers are only permitted to use just 20 pesticides derived from natural sources. Using natural pesticides rather than synthetic pesticides is not only better for the crops but for the planet and our bodies too.

You can also trust that organic food is free of GMOS (genetically modified organisms). Since GMOs can be detrimental for your health, it’s probably best to avoid them. Organic food is also less toxic. Organic crops have 48% lower concentration of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, compared to non-organic crops. Cadmium along with other heavy metals is found naturally in the soil but can be harmful to your health since it accumulates in the body.

Organic food is more nutritious. How food is farmed really does affects the quality of the food we eat. Organic is different. The biggest difference is the nutritional content. Fresh organic produce can contain up to 69% more antioxidants than non-organic fruit and vegetables than non-organic food. The higher level of nutrient content is probably why organic food tastes better too.

How can I eat organic?

It can be challenging to only eat food that is certified organic and buying organic can be expensive. If your budget can’t stretch to buying organic only, trying to decide which fruits and vegetables on your weekly shopping list you should buy organic can be daunting and confusing. What’s the best strategy? Avoid the “Dirty Dozen”. Prioritize buying organic versions of foods that are more susceptible to pesticide exposure. These include:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes

But if going completely organic isn’t an option for you, fill your fridge with conventional fruits and vegetables that contain lower amounts of pesticides. (Foods with a thicker peel, like avocado, are less susceptible and more effective at keeping out the pesticides.) If you’re on a tight budget, you can buy conventional versions of the “Clean Fifteen” which include:

1. Avocados
2. Sweetcorn
3. Pineapples
4. Frozen sweet peas
5. Onions
6. Papaya
7. Aubergines
8. Asparagus
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Cauliflower
12. Cantaloupe
13. Broccoli
14. Mushrooms
15. Honeydew melons

The “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists rank the pesticide contamination of 48 popular fruits and vegetables and are updated every year so make sure you remember to check them.

Is going organic worth it?

If you’re still wondering whether to go organic, the answer is yes. The most effective way to reduce your exposure to pesticides is to buy certified organic food. Or at least, eat as many organic foods as possible.

It’s worth the investment to go organic. Not only does organic food taste wonderful, but it is also more nutritious, better for the environment and more beneficial for your health than food grown from non-organic crops.

If you see the Soil Association organic symbol on the packaging, you can trust that the food you’re buying has been certified, is genuinely organic and can be fully traced back to the farm it came from. Naturya products are certified by The Soil Association, the UK’s leading organic certification body so you know that our products are organic, GMO-free and high quality.