What Chiropractic Patients Want To Know About Organic Food vs. Conventional Food
Many supermarkets have started offering their shoppers a choice in produce: organic or conventionally farmed. This can leave many wondering just what the difference is.
The truth is, both foods taste the same – or very close. Both have the same vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, so what is the big difference?
It comes down to two major areas: safety and nutrition. That is what consumers need to understand when they are trying to make a decision on whether to purchase foods that have been conventionally farmed, or foods that are organic.
What is “organic”?
Organic is an often misused word but the true meaning is that the term refers to how food is grown and processed. Organic farming is intended to encourage water and soil conservation as well as reduce pollution.
Organic farming does not use chemicals for controlling weeds, eliminating insects, or fertilizing. Most of the methods are completely natural. For instance, an organic farmer may use natural fertilizers to enrich the soil, strategically placed plants to control insects, and mulch or crop rotation to control weeds.
Organic vs. conventional foods
Conventionally farmed products will often use chemicals for insect control and weed control. They often use some type of processing on their foods.
The fertilizer used in planting often has chemicals. The foods may even be genetically modified. Animals may be injected with steroids and hormones which can cause unpleasant or even harmful side effects.
Organic foods do not use any chemicals, they are not genetically modified, and they are not injected with antibiotics or steroids. The food has been very minimally processed – if at all.
There are no additives that don’t belong and could be potentially harmful. Organic foods are safer for human consumption and they are typically more nutritious.
Health benefits of organic foods
The greatest health benefit of organic foods is what it does not provide. Organic growers do not use synthetic pesticides to protect their crops from disease, insects, and molds. This means that the food itself has never been touched by these chemicals.
Organic foods also do not have the food additives that conventional foods often do. They are free from artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and colorings as well as preservatives and monosodium glutamate. This means that eating organic means that you aren’t putting those chemicals into your body. Plus, many people say that organic foods simply taste better.
If you have further questions or concerns about your particular diet, please ask us! Our Doctor of Chiropractic can help guide you toward a more healthy life, including the foods you consume.