The popularity of organic products has increased significantly in recent years for various reasons: people want fewer pesticides, better animal husbandry conditions and health benefits. But is organic food really healthier? These 3 things happen when you reach for organic every day.
In times of increased ecological awareness, the demand for organic products is growing from year to year. The organic trend is not only finding its way into nutrition, but also into areas such as cosmetics and clothing. At this point, however, the focus should be on the nutritional findings: Are organic foods healthier than conventional products? If yes, why? And what happens if I switch from conventional to organic food?
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These 3 things happen when you eat organic food on a daily basis
Below, the focus is solely on unprocessed fruits and veggies—not that you think an organic candy bar is any healthier than a conventional apple. This is the case with nieces. Whether organic or not – fruit and vegetables are among the healthiest and most important foods and should be on our table every day. But is the surcharge for organic products worth it?
1. You ingest fewer pesticides
In conventional cultivation, there is no stinginess with pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Sure, they represent an extremely practical and inexpensive way to protect the grown fruit and vegetables from predators, other plants or fungal attack. As a result, however, residues of the chemicals used often remain on or even in the food. However, not every fruit is equally affected. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has examined which conventional foods contain particularly large amounts of pesticide residues. Most pesticides were found in the following fruits and vegetables:
- Fruit: currants, tangerines, mangoes, table grapes.
- Vegetables and salad: aubergines, beans (with pods), lamb’s lettuce, fresh herbs, celeriac, cultivated mushrooms, peppers, radishes, radishes, spinach.
If possible, you should therefore obtain these particularly contaminated foods from organic instead of conventional cultivation – the surcharge is worthwhile here. Because even washing or cleaning these fruits and vegetables can reduce the level of pesticides, but not remove all pesticide residues. However, the specific health consequences associated with the regular consumption of products contaminated with pesticides are still unclear. According to the Lower Saxony consumer advice center , it is currently assumed that around four percent of the pesticides approved in Europe are carcinogenic .
2. You are NOT getting more vitamins
If you’re concerned that you’re not getting enough vitamins and minerals from eating conventional fruit and vegetables, we can reassure you. Because according to a comprehensive review , in which 240 scientific studies were analyzed, there are actually no significant differences between conventional and organically grown foods in terms of their vitamin and mineral content . Consistently positive news for everyone who doesn’t want or can’t afford organic food.
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3. You get more phytochemicals
However, there are big differences between organic and conventional with regard to the content of another important nutrient group: the secondary plant substances, which protect the plants from predators, for example, are mostly extremely healthy for us humans. According to the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) , flavonoids, phenolic acids & Co. have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, cholesterol-lowering, blood-sugar-lowering, anti-carcinogenic and immune-modulating effects. These wondrous substances, which have so far only been researched to a small extent, are mainly found in organic foods. A research group based on 343 studies found that organically grown fruit and vegetables on average between Contains 20 and 60 percent more secondary plant substances than products from conventional cultivation.
Conclusion: By switching from conventional fruit and vegetables to the organic variety, you take in fewer pesticides and more phytochemicals. When it comes to vitamins and minerals, it makes no difference. Therefore, the surcharge for organic is worthwhile – even if the differences are small. What is important is the fact that conventional fruit and vegetables are also excellent suppliers of nutrients and are of course healthier than any ready-made products, fast food or sweets.
