There are a vast number of reasons why you should choose an organic lifestyle, or at least, supplement your daily intake of food with all-natural organic sources. Below is but a short list of 10 reasons we have compiled from sources across the web, and indeed, across the globe.
1. Organic food simply tastes better.
Organic farming starts with the ecologically responsible
and all-natural nourishment of the soil. This leads to natural nourishment of the plants and, ultimately, our palate. Organic food
is not over-sized by unnatural means, and not rushed to market via artificial ripening methods. This allows for the aggregation of
flavors through the full lifecycles of the plants.
2. Organic food has greater concentrations and levels of nutrients.
There are now research findings that show organic food is far superior in vitamin, mineral and nutrient content.
They are especially higher in antioxidants like vitamin C, polyphenols, and betacarotine. Organic foods have higher levels
(up to six times) of salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is produced naturally in plants as a protective compound against stress and disease.
Salicylic acid acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps combat hardening of the arteries. According to the
American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics for 2008,
an estimated 80,700,000 adults (1 in 3) have one or more types of cardiovasculardisease (CVD).
3. Organic food production helps protect future generations, while providing for the needs of the present.
The average child has approximately six times more internal levels of harmful pesticides than those children who eat primarily organic foods.
Food choices made in the family and community in the present determine our children's health - not only now but into the future. Read more from
a study conducted by the University of Washington's School of Public Health and Community Medicine
here.
4. Organic farming methods prevent soil erosion and builds healthy soil.
Organic farms protect the environment by building soil organic matter and by mimicking natural systems rather than relying on synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides. Compared to soils on conventional farms, organically farmed soils have been shown to have:
- Less nitrogen leeching
- Better nutrient holding ability
- More efficient biological nutrient cycling
- Less runoff and erosion
Good soil nutrient management planning is critical for any farming operation to optimise plant growth and decrease risks of nutrient leeching and runoff. Many crops are genetically engineered with the Bt toxin in order to resist infestation from insects. Yet root exudates from these plants release the toxin into the soil, where it retains its activity for at least 234 days, long after its release. This stimulates major changes in the soil that could affect nutrient cycling processes and ultimately reduce soil fertility.
5. Organic farming helps protect your water resources.
Pesticides and other chemicals widely used in conventional farming contaminate ground water and rivers and pollute primary sources of drinking water.
California, Arizona, and several other states are already experiencing water crises. Is it sensible it to exacerbate these problems by polluting
the rapidly diminishing resources we have remaining?
6. Chemical residues are missing or at very low levels in organic food.
Many studies show that most conventionally farmed foods have pesticide and other chemical residues. Over 400 chemical pesticides are routinely
used in conventional farming and residues are often present in non-organic food. Research has shown that 30 percent of insecticides, 60 percent
of herbicides and 90 percent of fungicides are known to cause cancer. These chemicals can also lead to nervous and endocrine problems.
Many pesticides and herbicides were registered long before extensive research linking them to cancer and other diseases could be established.
Many are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Using chemicals to deal with crop pests creates the same problem as indiscriminate use of
antibiotics against germs. The germs get tougher and nastier over time, because antibiotics influence their evolution, killing susceptible
organisms and causing resistant ones to multiply in the absence of competition.
Organic growers choose to have pest and disease management strategies that do not use artificial and toxic chemicals.
7. Organic food production uses less energy and oil than conventional food production.
Modern conventional farming uses more oil than any other industry. More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilizers than to till,
cultivate and harvest crops. Organic farming is still based on labor intensive practices such as hand weeding, green manure, and cover-crops instead
of chemicals. We here at Rockytop Organic Winery and Vineyard know all about intensive manual labor!
8. Organic food is free of artificial additives.
Organic food doesn't contain food additives which can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.
The use of antibiotics, anti-microbials, hormones and other growth accellerants are prohibited in organic production. The use of synthetic chemicals
as preservatives, colorings, antioxidants etc are also prohibited in the processing of organic foods.
9. Certified organic means no genetic tampering.
Genetically modified organisms are not allowed under the strict organic certification standards. Click
here for Wikipedia's article on organic
certification.
10. Organic farming practices maintain or enhance seed, crop and ecological biodiversity.
According to a study reported in 2004,
by New Scientist, 'organic farming increases biodiversity at every level of the food chain - all the way from
lowly bacteria to mammals'. Organic farming uses traditional seeds, and focuses on a diverse range of plant species - this increases seed and crop
biodiversity. Conventional farming relies on monocultures and chemicals to eradicate other plant and insect species - this considerably reduces
biodiversity. One of the side-effects of the use of toxic pesticides is the inadvertent killing of non-target animals, plants and insects, which
not only reduces biodiversity but may also exacerbate pest management problems by promoting pest resistance. There are far reaching effects from
conventional farming and the attendant use of toxic chemicals. Polluted soil and waterways affects all life forms in the ecosystem and reduces
biodiversity.