Resolve to Go Organic: Can you put a price tag on pure water?

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Resolve to Go Organic: Can you put a price tag on pure water?

JoAnn Guest Dec 20, 2004 17:42 PST

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Resolve to Go Organic

http://www.shopnatural.com/newsletter_0104.htm

 

In this month’s health news we want to focus on the health benefits of

eating organic. Perhaps after reading this article, you’ll revise your

New Year’s Resolutions to include eating more organic foods.

 

Besides, having an easy-to-achieve resolution on that list is always a

good idea!

 

Terminology

Before we begin, let’s define a few words. We’ll use the term “organic”

to refer to any food that was grown without chemical pesticides,

fertilizers, hormones or other chemical additives.

 

We’ll use the term “commercial” to refer to any food that may have

chemicals, pesticides, hormones or chemical additives or that may have

been grown with them.

 

There are specific definitions of the term “organic” when it comes to

legally selling products labeled as such. For the full description, you

can visit the National Organic Program (NOP) on the USDA website at

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards.html.

 

Organic plant products (vegetables, grains, anything grown in the

ground) means that pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are not used.

 

For animal products, the organic label does not allow the use of

hormones and antibiotics.

 

The legal definition does not allow genetic engineering or the use of

radiation, and emphasizes the utilization of renewable resources as well

as conservation of land and water.

 

OK, we’ve got our definitions clear, now, let’s look at organic.

 

Organic Food Has More Nutrients

Many studies have compared commercial and organic food and concluded

they have the same nutritional content. However, other studies have

shown those studies to be flawed.

 

For instance, a study that was published in the Journal of Applied

Nutrition showed that these flawed studies compared the dried ash

concentration of nutrients, which are about the same between commercial

and organic foods.

 

However, the studied showed that on a fresh weight basis, the average

elemental concentration of organic foods was about twice that of

commercial foods.

 

That means that organic foods, on average, have about twice the

nutritional content than do commercially grown foods.

 

A study done by Rutgers University confirms these results.

 

Here’s a sample of the data they released regarding the nutritional

content of organic and non-organic produce.

 

 

Organic Snap Beans

Non-Organic Snap Beans

Organic Tomatoes

Non-Organic Tomatoes

 

Calcium

40.5

15.5

23

4.5

 

Magnesium

60

14.8

59.2

4.5

 

Potassium

99.7

29.1

148

58.6

 

Thiamin

60

2

68

1

 

Iron

227

10

1938

1

 

Copper

69

3

53

<1

 

 

All numbers represent milliequivalents per 100 grams dry weight.

 

Another study done as part of a doctoral dissertation for Johns Hopkins

University confirms these findings.

 

Organic is Better For The Environment

Organic farming, which eschews the use of chemicals to boost production,

keeps soil healthy. Healthy soil has more nutrients and produces

healthier, nutrient-rich crops. In addition, by not dumping chemicals,

including pesticides and nitrates, into the ground, organic farming

helps keep our water cleaner. Water tables in agriculture communities

have been found to have higher concentrations of nitrates and harmful

chemicals than non-farming communities. As these chemicals get into our

drinking water, they get into our blood streams.

 

Animal studies suggest that functions such as reproduction and

resistance to infection can be impaired by commercially grown food as

compared to organic food. A study on humans reported that the percentage

of normal sperm increased as the percentage of organic food in men’s

diets increased. These findings show just how interrelated all things

are – when we use chemicals to grow our foods, we ingest those chemicals

via the food and via the water supply. When we avoid chemical

fertilizers and pesticides, food has more nutrition and our water supply

remains free of these chemicals and toxic materials.

 

Organic Tastes Better

OK, enough with the scientific studies. Here’s a study you can conduct

yourself. Buy a bag or bunch of commercial carrots and a bag or bunch of

organic carrots. Clean one of each and take a bite of the commercial

carrot. Chew it thoroughly. Now, take a drink of water to clear your

palate and take a bite of the organic carrot. Chew it thoroughly. If

you’re like 99% of the population out there, you’ll instantly notice the

difference in the flavor. Organic produce has flavors that you may never

have known existed in your favorite fruits and vegetables. The flavors

are stronger, more vibrant and more complex all at once.

 

Think Organic is Expensive? Think Again….

Some people argue that organic food is more expensive. Well, sometimes

that's true, but that’s only part of the story. First, as more farmers

go organic, the price of organic foods should continue to decline.

However, even at current prices, few consumers (or others) calculate in

the hidden costs.

 

What’s the cost to your health if your drinking water contains heavy

metals or toxic waste from pesticides or fertilizers?

 

Can you put a price tag on clean water?

 

How about the price of soil that is depleted by the use of these

chemicals?

 

What price is there on the sickness and premature death of wildlife

exposed to farming chemicals?

 

How about the cost to the ecosystem?

 

Not easy to quantify but certainly worth another couple of bucks a week

for organic food, wouldn’t you say?

 

Summary

 

OK, let’s recap. Organic food has at least twice the nutritional content

as commercial food, it contributes to a cleaner environment and it

tastes better. Now, can you see any reason to eat anything other than

organic?

 

Together, we can help create a cleaner environment, a more vibrant world

full of health, cooperation and opportunity for all Earth’s creatures.

Going organic is a great way to make a positive impact on the Earth

today and for generations to come. You can make a difference - one

vegetable at a time!

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html