Organic Food No Better Than Regular Food?

[troutman]

http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_heal...s_id=28661&rid=

A new review of the literature on organic produce finds no evidence that organically produced foods are nutritionally superior to regularly produced food.

In terms of nutrient content, the researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found organically and conventionally produced foods are comparable in their nutrient content.

The study, the largest systemic review of its kind, was commissioned and funded by the U.K. Food Standards Agency.

The review focused only on nutritional content of the food, and didn't look at the content of contaminants or chemical residues in foods from the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The lack of chemical residues is one of the main benefits to consumers cited by producers and proponents of organic foods.

Good - the prices at Planet Organic always shock me.

[DOK]

I kind of expected that view. People buy organic because it doesn't have pesticides and chemicals on it, not because it's better for you. At least, that's what I think anyways.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by DOK

I kind of expected that view. People buy organic because it doesn't have pesticides and chemicals on it, not because it's better for you. At least, that's what I think anyways.

I thought people buy organic so that when they're in the line at the grocery store they can hit on the other people with organic food in their baskets.

[TSXCman]

organic chickens are worth buying, usually means they are free range, clean, exercised, and have the option of being indoor or outdoor throughout day.

Better flavor, larger amount of leg meat.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by DOK

I kind of expected that view. People buy organic because it doesn't have pesticides and chemicals on it, not because it's better for you. At least, that's what I think anyways.

This was my impression as well... the avoidance of pesticide & GM foods.

[Devils'Advocate]

This just means that the food isn't any NUTRITIONALLY better. The people that wrote the study say outright (and it's even in troutman's blurb) that they didn't look at the health benefits of avoiding chemicals such as pesticides.

There are also other benefits to organic foods.... ie TASTE. I find mass-produced strawberries from California taste like water (basically no taste at all). But locally grown organic strawberries are sweeter and juicier. Same with tomatoes, carrots.... almost anything.

[driveway]

The other significant benefit to organic food is the lack of chemicals making it into the environment.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by DOK

I kind of expected that view. People buy organic because it doesn't have pesticides and chemicals on it, not because it's better for you. At least, that's what I think anyways.

Absolutely correct. I have never been under the assumption that organic is any more nutritional. However, at the same time, I am also of the belief that all of the pesticides, herbicides etc are not good for you.

It has been my finding that quite often, organic is much better tasting. And that comes down to the growing methods. Usually organic is harvested when it is ripe, unlike nonorganic which in my experience is picked when too green. Consequently, when the non organic looks ripe, it might be soft and of the right color, but is just not as good tasting.

[Azure]

Meh.

Local food is almost always better. Especially local vegetables.

But, if people were actually thinking that organic food would be better nutritionally, they need to check themselves out for mental ######ation problems.

The idea was to avoid the chemicals and get a better taste.

[MelBridgeman]

meh


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...chemicals.html

Thousands of tons of organic vegetables sold in British shops this year were produced using toxic chemical pesticides, it emerged yesterday.

"Organic farmers used significant amounts of copper sulphate to reduce the impact. Copper sulphate is poisonous if you have enough of it. It can stay around in the soil and you can end up with high concentrations."

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

larger amount of leg meat.

Ew. I'm purely a breast man myself.

[Methanolic]

The "expert" on CTV news also suggested that people who buy only organic, actually end up consuming far less (fruits & vegatables) than those who purchase the conventional produce, Because the organic stuff is so expensive.

I beleive that. I've shopped at planet organic and it's quite costly. Also, because their produce is not coated in wax and lacquer, there is usually a lot of partially rotten food on the shelves.

So, what is one to do? I avoid eating the skin on any produce and I scrub/wash the s**t out of everything. I don't shop at the organic stores anymore, and besides......how do you know it really is organic? ...Oh because the store said it is!!...or because the Govt. has guidelines and criteria for the producers!! ...........Whatever.

[Daradon]

As your last paragraph notes, while the nutritional value remains the same (which I really don't see how it could change and don't know why people believe it would) it doesn't take into account any dangers from pesticides/chemicals/hormones that other non-organic foods may have. Which I believe is the real issue.

Not that I am a big consumer of organic foods. I try to fit it in where I can, but often can't find or afford the options. But I hardly think removing chemicals from our food and cleaning up our industries is a bad thing. Having options which people can support helps the industry as a whole.

[tete]

We started getting produce from SPUD in the last month and we're sold. It's locally sourced or organic food - delivered to our door once a week. What we can't get over is how good the veggies and fruit taste! I know darn well that they're not any more nutritious, but I'm sold on them just on taste!

Agreed on the free range chickens - we pick them up at the Calgary Farmer's market and holy cow they're massive! And tasty!

So yeah, I don't care about this study - all I care is that the organic/local stuff tastes better.

[troutman]

I notice that my organic produce spoils in 2-3 days, while the safeway stuff lasts a week. What's up with that?

[I_am_Beast]

Originally Posted by troutman

I notice that my organic produce spoils in 2-3 days, while the safeway stuff lasts a week. What's up with that?

sprayed with chemical to keep mosture in...

[rubecube]

Anybody who buys organic food for health reasons is totally naive. The evidence linking pesticides to serious health risks in humans is skeptical at best. The environmental damage is about equal, considering the increased amount of energy and land-consumption it takes to produce and transport organic food.

The rise of the organic food industry is a hilarious example of people's mindless acceptance of green-washed propaganda.

[jtfrogger]

Organic food tastes so much better in most cases. I just picked up an organic free-range chicken today for supper, and it was wonderful. On taste alone, it is worth the premium price. Most fruits & veggies taste so much better too.

And on top of that, I can't imagine that the extra chemicals are healthy in non-organic food.

[redforever]

It has been my experience that organic food lasts longer. But then, I am very picky about what I buy and how I keep it once I get it home. And I only buy a few days worth as well.

For any lettuce, etc, this is the method I use. I immerse it and let it soak in a sink of very cold water for around 20 minutes. Then I shake off as much water as possible, let it drain for 10 minutes in the sink, then I roll it in paper towels or cotton teatowels (no fabric softerner), put in a plastic bag and refrigerate.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by troutman

I notice that my organic produce spoils in 2-3 days, while the safeway stuff lasts a week. What's up with that?

I eat tons of bananas. I love bananas, but I have had the opposite experience. I started buying organic bananas and they seem to stay good for longer than the regular kind......

I know some people from back home who grow organic foods, and they tell me they use no treatments/chemicals period......they definately did not mention copper sulphate.