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Organic Foods May Not Be Healthier, Report Says
Filed under: Nutrition: Health, In The News, Going Green, Mealtime
Is organic produce worth the investment? Maybe not. Credit: rhett maxwel, Flickr
An independent review of 162 scientific studies, commissioned by England's Food Standards Agency, concludes that there is no nutritional difference between organic and ordinary foods, even when it comes to vitamin C, calcium and iron, according to BBC News. The same goes for meat, eggs and dairy.
"Ensuring people have accurate information is absolutely essential in allowing us all to make informed choices about the food we eat," said Gill Fine, FSA director of consumer choice and dietary health. "What it shows is that there is little, if any, nutritional difference between organic and conventionally produced food and that there is no evidence of additional health benefits from eating organic food."
What the report doesn't address are the dangers of pesticides and other chemicals like fertilizers, which some experts say is a significant oversight.
Judy Converse, Denver mom and the author of "Special Kids Eat Right," told ParentDish that even small amounts of agricultural chemicals can be harmful over time. "We all want to minimize our exposures to toxins, which can accumulate in fatty tissues like liver, kidney, nerve and brain," she said via e-mail.
As a licensed, registered dietitian who specializes in children, Converse said she has, "seen some exquisitely sensitive children who do seem to only tolerate organic, nitrate/nitrite-free, or antibiotic-free products."
Everyone wants what's best for their kids, but times are tight and organic food is pricey. The New York Times points out that organic bread can cost as much as $4.50 a loaf, and a gallon of organic milk will run you about $7. Unless you have lots of discretionary income, organic food could fall into the "luxury" column on your balance sheet.
"When it is affordable, I try to buy organic," wrote one ParentDish Twitter follower. "But we are on a tight budget and I have to buy what gets me the most for my $."
So what can parents do? Choose wisely, said Converse. Splurge on organic berries, lettuce, melons and tomatoes, but stick to ordinary bananas and bread.
Also, consider adding more dairy to your family's diet .According to BBC News, Australian researchers observed 1,343 families in England and Scotland over the course of 65 years, and found that children who had a higher daily intake of calcium were healthier as adults. A pint of low-fat milk, a container of low-fat yogurt and a small piece of cheese every day will do the trick.
What parents shouldn't do is feel guilty about not serving organic foods at every meal.
"Whatever works for a family and helps kids be happier, healthier and empowered, that's where it's at," Converse said.
Read more about healthy eating on AOL Food.
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ReaderComments (Page 4 of 4)
9-03-2009 @ 4:41PM
AlfredJSenior said...How to fleece OBC Disorders, Neurotics, enviornmental/naturalist true believers and the rest of the wannabes and trend followers with clever labeling.
Just wash the food before you eat it and remember every food grown commercially, organic or not, is a hybrid, ie. been genetically played with for hundreds of years - thanks to Gregor Mendel. Every potato, every ear of corn, every tomato, every fruit, every cow, every turkey, every chicken, every vegetable and etc.
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9-03-2009 @ 4:45PM
rbull1435 said...There is NO I will repeat NO proof that organic food has any benefits as far as nutrition or safety are concerned. The bottom line really is how much are you willing to pay for a dubious benefit? Don't forget that if all food was grown "organic" about 1 million people would die of starvation as the yields are so low per acre. Over half of all food labled organic is imported from outside the US. Know why? There is less regulation of food industries over seas!
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9-03-2009 @ 5:10PM
ta said...It is not only about nutrition. It is about chemicals, some proven to be cancer causing, that seep into the ground. We then eat the produce, or, animals that eat the produce. These chemicals can stay in our tissue and muscles for years. It may be a bit late for us, however with continued organic farming, farm land may be detoxified.
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9-03-2009 @ 5:42PM
Paul Cyopick said...Don't like the FDA? OK, here's some more.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/29/the-is-organic-food-healt_n_247344.html
What about the mayo clinic?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255
Or another from University of BC
http://www.scq.ubc.ca/organic-foods-healthy-alternative-or-just-another-fad/
Facts are facts. I've shown four independent studies, plus the one from the article. Did you even bother to read any of these? Be an educated consumer, then decide for yourself.
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9-03-2009 @ 6:32PM
Bob said...The article rots because it addresses a non-issue: I have not heard any claims that Organic superiority has anything to do with vitamins and such.
I am with those who go right to the TRUTH of it: Organic has to do with pesticides, genetic engineering, and the like.
The sad thoing is that an organic farm may be next to a poisonous farm and hence the organic products may catch some secondary toxins and even genetically engineered (pollens).
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9-03-2009 @ 6:41PM
john said...Notice how they only mention nutritional benefits, not pesticides or the numerous toxins used to maintain the fruit. very misleading article. The whole point of organic is that the food doesn't have that stuff in it.
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9-03-2009 @ 6:57PM
Vaarok said...Luddites, you don't deserve the food Norman Borlaug and farmers like me ensure you can afford to scorn.
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9-03-2009 @ 8:51PM
Mike said...Organic foods are much more likely to be contaminated with fecal bacteria because of the use of manure as a fertilizer. Generally there are composting or heat treatments done, but these only have a marginal effect on reducing the fecal bacterial load. There are frequent recalls of organic food material like bean sprouts that are contaminated with Salmonella. Foods like vegetable and fruits that will be eaten raw are especially problematic. Probably the most effective thing that could be done to reduce bacterial intoxication from contaminated food materials would be to irradiate food. No that does not make the food radiactive! The only down side might a slight (few percent) decrease in vitamin content due to oxidative damage.
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9-03-2009 @ 8:35PM
Mark Ralin said...There are some vegetables that are not GMO . like onions , that is'nt
organic. If you can afford organic then go for it.
GMO food (Monsantos) Genetically alters the crop to produce a pesticide that occures naturally in the plant . If you continually eat this GMO it attaches to your genes and you produce the same pesticide .
They have been experimenting with vaccinating you through food .
This is simply called "FrankenFood" .
Just like every thing else the Geneticists tell you , Pesticides are good for you , as well as Mercury , Flouride , and Lead Paint on Chineese toys . It is also natural and good for you to eat cows that are fed meat in the feed . Give me a break ! The rest of you better wake up .
In Liberty.
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9-04-2009 @ 12:43AM
Zoe said...I love fake Republican news reported on AOL. Organics aren't supposed to be healthier in terms of nutritional content, they are healthier because the fruits and vegetables are free of pesticides and chemicals/preservatives/additivies/hormones etc which contribute to human sickness. Also, any organic meat also is free of the above and is raised in a more humane manner with a heavily controlled environment (i.e. monitored food diet, cleaner environment, etc). I thought everyone knew that, but apparently not. This isn't the first time AOL news has tried to get people to avoid eating organics. I'm guessing there are some serious corporations on their pay roll. Sick. That's ok, let the healthy people stay healthy, they most likely read articles from health magazines and not AOL news anyway.
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9-03-2009 @ 8:55PM
farmer of both og and conv. said...i am a vegtiable farmer of both conventional and organic. i farm 1000s of acres of each. what everyone needs to know is that there are some differences in growing of each.. a true 100% organic is grown with no man made nitrogen. when you see the sticker that says USDA organic there is a differance from one that says 100% organic.. with the USDA we get to use 25% of coventional fertilizer to grow a crop..the 100% we have to use all natural products. as for pesticdes we use USDA approved organic pesticides..which are very similar to coventinal pesticides just different rates. but the biggiest differance i see is that conventional vegitables are regulateded and tested daily by the USDA. they check make sure no pesticides residue is present, with organics that is not checked as like conventinal vegtiables. i have eaten both my whole life for 40 years . i still cant tell the differance . but i do know that its more expensive to grow organics than conventinal and oganics production is half of what you get out of conventional. the sad part is there is not enough farmers left in the united states to feed america.
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9-03-2009 @ 9:52PM
Lynn said...When I click on this article ... there was a disclosure that the article was sponsor by Quaker. So, I am not surprised that it omitted the prime reason to buy organic is to limit the amount of pesticides and chemicals we ingest.
Cost is a factor, no getting around it. I do not use dairy products, I take my calcium from plant based sources other than soy. Health is priceless. I find eating nutrient dense foods requires less actual food intake.
I want the option to buy organic produce. It is fine that other choose otherwise. I do not support the doing away with organic foods as a option.
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9-03-2009 @ 11:17PM
mark said...Wow, are your readers gullible. Organic food is actually more dangerous, with the use of "natural fertilizers" such as animal waste, you increase the risk of picking up something like e coli.
Chemical fertilizersand pesticides are so bad that our life expectancy keeps getting longer. In fact, they have probably contributed to that increase, by making fruits and vegetables more available and cheaper, so every income bracket can afford them. Go to organic totally, the price of fruits and vegatbles will skyrocket, the poor will not be able to afford them, and their diets will become less healthy. But your readers will feel more self-righteous.
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9-03-2009 @ 11:59PM
lagerente said...You must work for the sponsor company. I am not 'gullible' and neither am I dumb, stupid or uninformed. One can get e. coli from just about ANY product sold anywhere, as you very well know, AND it could be due to water contamination, eating raw cookie dough, beef, venison, sausages, dried salami, people who haven't washed their hands properly after using the bathroom, and many other means, since e.coli is a foodborne pathogen. All fruits and vegetables need to be rinsed throughly, and in some cases, steamed, something that is just plain common sense. Industrial farming is NOT cheaper than Organic farming, this is a myth. If one includes the cost of herbicides, pesticides, additives and preservatives, and hormones, as well as the water usage, and the contamination of the land and depletion of the soil, then the true cost of Industrial farming is not only known, it is equal to Organic Production. That's the real shame. But these lies will not go on for long. Soon there will be a five-year study released which will end this myth about the 'cheap' production of food for all. People might be living longer, but they are also getting sick younger, AND many have life-long medical conditions, which certainly do not make for a good quality of life. That's the bottom line: I can't wait for the day when farmers will be able to farm again, without being forced to use pesticides and insecticides imposed on them by Industrialists who don't give a hoot about human health.
9-04-2009 @ 12:21AM
Tox said...I am so glad more people know about Monsanto's evilness! My guy and I have been so worried about the fruits and veggies we eat. Not only that but the meats as well! It's insane what people will do for money. Telling people to switch from organic to regular is crazy. I'm almost certain Monsanto had something to do with this article as well!
If you want to know about Monsanto's evil ways I URGE you to please watch this youtube video all about it! You will be enlightened by it. We sure were!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOMqwPxUx54
SPREAD THE WORD!!
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9-19-2009 @ 12:17PM
Judy Converse MPH RD LD said...Some organically raised crops are more nutrient-dense than others - depends on the food and other factors; some have negligible differences. And it's true - I have encountered kids in my practice (http://www.NutritionCare.net) who do not tolerate antibiotics and hormones in foods, not to mention dyes, flavorings, or other additives. Check out Chef Ann Cooper's site (http://www.chefann.com/) for fantastic info on buying local, organic, and improving school lunches for your kids. My own opinion - if you can afford it, buy organic. We ate some locally raised organic grass fed beef for dinner last night - so delicious my son didn't even wait for the trimmings he usually insists on (bun, ketchup, lettuce, onion, relish, mustard, cheese, tomato) - he just devoured it plain right off the grill.
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