Many people prefer to buy organic products and meat without worrying about their health and the environment. Buyers generally assume that foods marketed as organic have been grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and have not been treated with antibiotics, hormones, or synthetic additives like colours and preservatives.
However, even organically grown foods may contain pesticides and other contaminants carried by air, water, and soil debris. Also, even though they do not contain certain contaminants, organic products are not necessarily more nutritious or tastier than other foods. Retailers generally demand higher prices for organic foods, but such products may go bad faster as they are not treated against insects and bacteria. You can always check fresh fitness food delivery services on Britainreviews.co.uk to find where you can buy organic products that will be worth the price.
Is it worth the price to buy organic items?
A small study in 2008 measured pesticide levels in children’s urine before conducting the study. Detectable but low levels of some pesticides were found in the urine of most children before the study began. Their diets were then limited to organic fruits and vegetables, and some corn and wheat products such as pasta and cereals. Because meat and dairy products do not contain significant levels of pesticides, they were not changed in the diet. What was the result? After a week of eating only organic produce, pesticide levels in urine dropped significantly.
Does that mean that the increased cost and shortened shelf life of organic foods are justified for all children? The answer is maybe. Children are exposed to pesticides in other ways, such as playing on the grass in a park that has been sprayed to control insects or drinking water into which pesticides have fallen.
Measures such as washing and peeling all produce before serving, buying only domestically grown produce rather than buying imported produce, shopping at local farmers’ markets, and participating in a community garden using organic farming methods can reduce risk.
Remember, however, that locally grown produce is not always pesticide-free, so observe a label stating that it is organic to reduce pesticide content. If you live in an agricultural area and drink well water, it may be helpful to have it tested for pesticide content.
Even if pesticides exist, they are not often the number one environmental threat to a child’s health that it once was due to advances in pest control that have greatly decreased risk. For example, substances that disrupt the growth of only certain insects that can attack a crop but not harm humans in the process are used in some situations.
Another method is the use of a particular pheromone (a chemical secreted by animals) that disrupts the mating of some insects. Breeding disease-resistant plants and carefully monitoring residues in the soil before planting has also contributed to risk reduction.
What makes organic products worth more?
According to the same CNN Expansion report, organic products cost 20% to 40% more than their traditional counterparts. This is because the yield and production are smaller in scale than that of chemical assisted agriculture. Also, certification and other costs are factors that drive up the price. However, in a national survey by Nielsen, 22% of consumers are willing to pay that extra to benefit their health.
Human and environmental health
That said, organic products have several benefits for both human health and the environment. Not using chemicals helps to preserve the land, water, and avoid pollution. Besides, it prevents diseases that can develop in the long term due to the consumption of transgenic foods, and they tend to have more nutrients that have not been lost due to the use of chemicals. A women’s health report mentions that organic foods can have up to 50% more antioxidants among other benefits.
Long-term awareness and investment
Health has become a priority around the world. People exercise more, are more aware of their line, and even entire governments have implemented taxes on junk foods as is the case in Mexico, to discourage the public from consuming them. It certainly doesn’t have to become a rule to only consume organic products. Consider the purchase of organic products as an investment in your health with long-term returns. You will see it in your line, weight, and general health. Start by including a couple of organic products on your grocery list.
Consuming organic products is part of a lifestyle, and you choose.