This content will compare organic to non-organic food, including their nutritional value and effects on human health. Read on to learn more!
Organic food sales have skyrocketed in the past twenty years. According to Statista, in 2021 alone, organic food sales in the US were 57.5 billion dollars. This content will compare organic to non-organic food, including their nutritional value and effects on human health. People consider organic food safer, healthier, and tastier than traditionally-grown food and better for the environment and animals.
Organic Food Defined
The term “organic” refers to the food’s production. A food product is organic when it’s free of artificial additives, including sweeteners, preservatives, coloring, flavoring, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Farmers produce organic foods without synthetic chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Organic farming enhances soil quality and conserves groundwater while reducing pollution. Organically-grown crops use natural fertilizers like manure to enhance plant growth. People commonly purchase organic foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and meat. Animals raised organically aren’t given antibiotics or hormones.
The Nutritional Value of Organic Foods
In 2014, NPR got to the bottom of whether organic food offers more nutrients or nutritional value than non-organic food. Organic fruits and veggies provide 20-40% more antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, than traditionally-grown fruits and veggies. Why does this matter? According to WebMD, Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effects and protect cells from oxidative damage, leading to the development of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition, Healthline reported that carotenoids could also protect you from disease and boost your immune system while being able to convert into Vitamin A. Additionally, organic food has more micronutrients such as Vitamin C, zinc, and iron.
Pesticide-Resistance
Many people consume Non-GMO food to avoid artificial chemicals. According to the National Library of Medicine, consuming these foods might reduce pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria exposure.
Remember that Not All Organic Food is Healthy
“Organic” doesn’t always mean “full of nutrients.” Recently, we broke down ways to make eggplant parmesan healthier because not everything is as healthy as it seems. Some organic products are still highly processed and high in calories, salt, and added fats. While you can trust our Non-GMO vegetables, we encourage you to take caution when you go to the grocery store and see things such as “organic chips” or “organic ice cream.” If you want optimal health, we suggest eating these foods in moderation.
Reach Out to Baywater Farms Today for Our Unique Variety of Veggies
We can offer you a lot, from non-GMO sweet potatoes to heirloom beefsteak tomatoes to hydroponic microgreens. Whether you’re a CSA, roadside farm stand, or farm-to-table restaurant, we want to ensure that you offer your customers healthy and ethically-sourced vegetables.
BAYWATER FARMS HAS THE RIGHT PRODUCE FOR YOU
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.