Organic Vs Conventional Food : Are Organic Foods Healthier ?

        Are organic foods worth the price ?

Are Organic foods healthier than Normal Foods ?

People nowadays are leaning towards Organic Foods, as many of us have a belief that Organic Foods are healthier than Normal Conventional Foods. While other set of people think that normal foods are healthier that the conventional foods.

So, which one is actually better ? Organic or Normal food. Firstly, we see what does organic food actually mean

What Organic Food means ?

According to FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission,  "Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasises the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system."

Similar definition is also given for Organic Foods by 'Jaivik Bharat', " Organic foods are products of holistic agricultural practices focusing on bio-diversity, soil health, chemical free inputs etc. with an environmentally and socially responsible approach that have been produced in accordance with organic production standards."

In a broader sense Organic Farming growing food without using synthetic materials/Chemicals or genetically modified crops. Organic foods refer to products which are grown and processed without the use of fertilizers,pesticides, growth regulators, livestock feeds, additives, bio-engineered genes (GMOs).

Moreover, Different countries have different regulations for Organic Food.

Are Organic Foods Healthier ?

Nutritional Value: Are organic foods more nutritious ?

• Various studies have come up and shown organic food does not provide additional nutritional benefits when compared to conventional food. Organic Foods have more or less similar nutritional values as compared to conventional 

Pesticides Residues: 

• Both Organic and Conventional foods must have pesticide levels below the maximum permitted limits. However Organic foods as grown without use of pesticides have very less amount of pesticide residues, this amount may come from various external sources. Yes, Choosing Organic crops because they have less pesticide residues can be a healthy option.

General Tips for Consumers:

Whether you buy Organic or Conventional Food keep the following in mind :

Read Labels: Organic does not really means Healthy, Products labelled as Organic can still be high in Sugars, Fats, Salts. So do keep check onto it.

Buy from Different Sources, and keep variety of products in your meals: So that you are not exposed to a toxic compound for a long time again and again, also having variety means you get all the nutrients.