Ornganic NOT What We Thought It Was
LONDON (Reuters) – Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over ordinary food, according to a major study published Wednesday.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers were paying higher prices for organic food because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007.
A systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, however, found there was no significant difference.
“A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs, but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance,” said Alan Dangour, one of the report’s authors.
“Our review indicates that there is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority.”
The results of research, which was commissioned by the British government’s Food Standards Agency, were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Sales of organic food have fallen in some markets, including Britain, as recession has led consumers to cut back on purchases.
The Soil Association said in April that growth in sales of organic products in Britain slowed to just 1.7 percent in 2008, well below the average annual growth rate of 26 percent over the last decade, following a plunge in demand at the end of the year.
Now (this is Jim), there are many cancer specialists who believe that breast cancer survivors or those at a higher risk should ONLY eat organic produce because of pesticides, but there is no statistical data to support that theory.
Personally I kind of chuckle to myself when I see people buying some organic things. Banana’s comes to mind…really? Peel the darn thing!
Comment by Laurie — July 31, 2009 at 8:56 am
I totally agree. I remember an article in O The Oprah Magazine that said that certain fruits, like grapes, berries, apples, etc., are better when they are organic because you are eating the peal and all. Clearly, oranges and bananas can be pealed.
Comment by Jim Karas — July 31, 2009 at 11:16 am
I have read several articles that say not to buy organic for items with hard peels, like bananas, oranges and avocado. I think this article/study is missing the point of organic foods, of which I buy a fair amount, its not what organic items have but don’t have…chemicals and pesticides. I’ve never been under the impression they contained more nutrients. Can we consider for a moment that these chemicals could be contributing to many of our diseases such as cancer and auto-immune related illnesses? I don’t know about you but I don’t want my children hopped up on hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that arrive in their food. I will cut back on other things in my budget during the strained economy but quality, fresh organic food will not be one of them.
Comment by Mary — August 2, 2009 at 8:02 am
I think that organic food is only better for you simply because you are not ingesting all the chemicals that the food either has on its peel or has absorbed into the flesh. I also agree with the above that buying organic for things you peel is silly. However I grew up on a farm that never used anything on our veggies, fruit or animals I simply think thats the way farming should be.
Comment by Jessica — August 4, 2009 at 9:15 am
Jessica, I think you are so right.
Comment by Jim Karas — August 4, 2009 at 9:50 am