Organic Farming: Organic Food Benefits Essay

Every year, the average person in America consumes nearly a ton of food, and the majority of this consists of packaged and highly processed products. These foods also contain a substantial amount of unwanted fats and chemicals. The growing of organic versus nonorganic food has been a controversial issue for a long time among organic and nonorganic farmers and their customers. This is due to the myriad definitions of healthy eating and the stated benefits on both sides.

The articles “Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?”, by the Mayo Clinic Staff and “Is organic better for your health? A look at milk, meat, eggs, produce and fish”, by Tamer Haspel, delve into whether or not the products produced by organic farming are more nutritious and or safer than those produced by conventional farming.

Every day all around the world, people have the option to choose between purchasing organic foods or processed foods. More often than not we choose the processed foods because they are typically cheaper, quicker, and let us be honest, tastier. But as consumers, we are frequently tricked into thinking that the foods we buy are good for our health and that they provide us with the essential vitamins and nutrients we need. After reading articles from various doctors and nutritionists all around the world, I can confidently state that I have an in depth understanding of the disadvantages to eating highly processed foods as well as the advantages of eating organic foods. I am currently making my best efforts to achieve clean eating and am experiencing the benefits first-hand. What we as consumers need to understand is that processed foods do more harm than good to our bodies. Research proves that cutting out highly processed foods like fast foods and imitation foods, lead to personal health benefits such as having a stronger immune system, clearer skin, and less weight gain. Eliminating these highly processed foods from our diets will help to improve our health so we can be the best versions of ourselves.

When considering differences between organic and conventional foods often the first thing people comment on is the nutritional value. Organic foods have grown in popularity due to the perception that they are better nutritionally. Barbara Hey (2009), health reporter and author of the article, “A Different Health Debate: Conventional versus Organic Food” and Smith-Spangier, Crystal, et al. (2012), emphasize that the benefits of organic foods and farming are important to society. That organic food can help protect what’s most valuable to people, their health. They suggest that eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is a good investment in preventative care. Jeff Gillman (2008) agrees and states, “ …preventing disease is much more cost effective than treating disease. Organic foods can play a vital role in keeping people healthy” (139).

From the now popular recyclable cloth grocery bags, to the organic garden at the White House, food, and the food industry is changing. The popularity of organic and whole foods is on the rise. Processed foods are increasingly advertising that they are additive and preservative free, and all sorts of products now offer a “gluten-free” variety. The popularity of what is now being called the sustainable food movement, leads many to wonder why are some people willing to pay more, sometimes double, for organic produce, meat, eggs, and milk. Will this prove to be just another trendy American fad, or are there real health benefits from eating organic and whole foods? While the organic market only represents approximately 3% of the total food

But as consumers are only willing to pay the extra money for organic food mainly for any health benefits they associate with organic foods, such health benefits should be significant enough to warrant this inflated price. Studies demonstrate that the advantages of organic food are relatively small and even some disadvantages were found. Although correlations were found between a few health benefits and eating organically (reduced risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in subjects who eat organic foods more and mitigation of allergic dermatitis from consuming organic dairy products), these correlations were the only ones found amongst hundreds

Many people do not notice a significant difference in the taste of organic food and conventional foods. Some organic food taste very different as compared to conventional foods, like organic milk (White). Sue Gebo, author of “What’s Left to Eat?” explains: “studies do not show a significant taste difference between organic and conventional crops” (Rubin 3). U.S. News held a blind taste test to determine if organic food tasted better than conventional foods. Winter tomatoes, both organic and conventional, were equally tasteless. Conventional carrots and blueberry yogurt tasted better than their organic counterparts, but organic orange juice tasted better than conventional orange juice (Marcus 3).

Mitchum, Michelle is an American journalist and author, she writes, reports for news channels and a filmmaker. She states in Organic food, that for the past two decades the consumption of organic food has radically changed, by twenty-five billion dollars from 1996 to 2016. This accumulative grow is a result of people briefs' that organic food free pesticides, chemical and grown in good arable, are healthier form nutrition and health wise than controversially grown food. The subject separates like deadly disease and brings attention to competent health authorities and forced development, processing of conventionally grown foods to be aware of their next move, then the public starts questioning themselves the effect of consuming food that's been grown in an increasing profit method. There are enough researches to prove

The food industry allows consumers to choose from a wide variety of products. However, most food corporations fail to tell the story behind their food. Is this secrecy due to their methods in creating their products? Conventional farming is America’s leading source of food production. Yet, the controversial practices used in conventional farming, may lead American’s to question if this is the only farming source that can feed our nation. Since 1972, organic farming has been creeping up the success ladder and demonstrating the methods involved can withstand the food demands of our nation. With the rising popularity of organic farming, U.S. citizens now have the option to purchase wholesome food. Consumers curious about purchasing organic goods should be aware of the notable differences between organic and conventional practices. The significant differences between organic and conventional farming include; animal welfare, health, and environmental. With the given information, consumers will be able to make informed decisions about their food purchases.

Many Americans today are making the decision to eat and buy organic products and food. Organic food are grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals and do not contain additives, pesticides, pesticides, antibiotics or hormones. The fruits and vegetables are fresher healthier and contain fundamental minerals that are prone to reduce heart disease, osteoporosis and other health issues. As a result, it can have a grave impact on your mental and emotional health as well as the environment. Due to these factors, John Mackey’s, CEO of Whole Foods is dedicated to promote the vitality and well being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, of wholesome foods available, flavorful, least processed where customers can shop in an enjoyable

Many people have heard about organic foods, however, not everyone understands the facts, benefits, or how it is grown. Organic food ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones. In “Organic Food: Healthier for You and the Planet” Collin Dunn discusses organic food using some statistics, pictures, and his personal opinion to better inform people who eat organic foods why it is better to eat and how it is better for the planet. However, Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Sega, and Robert Segal discuss organic food in:

The clear conclusions drawn from numerous studies targeting organic food are that organic food does not equal safe food, does not have clear nutritional advantage and does not have reduced level of naturally occurring toxins over conventional plants or livestock (80, 81). Fertilization enriches soils and provides nutrients in food, regardless of it being organic or chemical fertilizer. Risk of exposure to microbial contamination is not lower in organic food (82). Level of naturally occurring toxins such as aflatoxins in peanuts and grains, solanine in green parts of potatoes, goitrogens in some raw vegetables, and other poisons in mushrooms and herbs is not affected by the method of growing (81). Pesticides usages are monitored and will not pose harm to health when applied in regulated manner. However, the amount of pesticides residue is usually lower in organic food (82). One observational study and one systematic review found no protective value of organic food over eczema or atopy diseases (83, 84). Hence the claims being made over benefits of organic food can be concluded as misleading at best, and there is a pressing need for proper public education on this issue

Many believe that the food grown may be good for the environment but obtaining the products counteracts the process and overall benefits of acquiring organic foods. This idea is because food is flown in from places all over the world on planes whose exhaust is polluting the environment just as much as the non organic farming. Another view made by a spokeswoman for the Agriculture Department said, “The government’s organic program is a market program that sets standards for what can be certified as organic. Neither the enabling legislation nor the regulations address food safety or nutrition” (Bittman 2). This statement may prove to be correct, but when taking polls of those who eat organic and those who do not, the ones who eat organically experience benefits that are much higher. Digesting organic food has proven to reduce risks of terminal illnesses, such as diabetes and even cancer. Beyond physical health, buyers mentally feel more positively towards themselves and their

With the world’s population continuing to increase, the demand for food is higher than ever. This increase in food demand also calls for more efficient ways of growing and providing the food. Two methods that are very controversial are the organic and conventional method. While many people support the organic method because of its known benefits, others feel that it is an over inflated industry that cheats consumers out of their money. But recently many studies have disproved those critics. These studies prove that Organic food is a better choice than conventional because it is better for the environment, avoids the use of chemicals, and is generally more beneficial.

“Organic Foods: Health and Environmental Advantages and Disadvantage” describes that consumers suppose that farming organics is more benign to the environment since “organic farms do not use or release synthetic pesticides into the environment, some of which have the potential to harm soil.” Consumers get a sense of security knowing that their food is safe from toxins like pesticides, as well as a sense of responsibility for improving the earth’s welfare. This has become an increasingly important factor for purchasing organic foods, as the push for more environmentally friendly options has been increasingly prominent in this day and