I am sure everyone has seen organic foods at the grocery store but what are organic foods? The word organic does not refer to what is in the food product but rather how the food product is produced. The word organic should not be confused with natural which refers to the ingredients in a product. Natural foods do not have any artificial additives.
What are organic practices? Organic practices refer to the methods used by farmers to produce organic food. Organic farmers do not use pesticides and try to preserve the integrity of the soil. Organic foods also use animal waste and are environmentally better. These practices make organic foods safer to consume and more sustainable. One way you can check if your food product is organic is if there is a USDA Organic label on the food. Food products can use this label only if the ingredients in the food are 95% organic excluding water and salt. There are also products that can contain at least 70% organic ingredients. These products are healthier than inorganic food but not as healthy as organic food.
Eating organic not only has a positive impact on your body but also on Earth. With inorganic crops, many pesticides and fertilizers ruin the soil by interrupting the natural habitats of bacteria that produce many nutrients for the soil. Organic foods also have a very big impact on our water supply. Many pesticides enter our water supply as runoff and this contamination can be harmful. Organic foods also promote biodiversity. Many inorganic crops are used because of their resistance to certain conditions like heat or bacteria. By using more varieties of crops, the soil becomes healthier and the ecosystem evolves.
So if organic foods have all of these upsides then why do people continue to consume inorganic food? One of the biggest reasons is that organic foods cost significantly more than inorganic foods. In one study a pint of inorganic blueberries cost $2.57 whereas organic blueberries cost $3.57. Those extra dollars at the register are a burden that many families cannot take on. Farmers also prefer growing inorganic crops to organic crops. The main reasons for this are higher crop yield and a more guaranteed yield. With organic crops, pesticides are strictly forbidden and if an insect were to ruin your crop you would not have any money that season. Since these pesticides also contain nitrogen, they help promote better plant growth. This leads to a higher crop yield and more money for the farmers. But just because a food has an organic label does not mean it is inherently good for you. You should always check how many calories are in the product and what the macronutrients are. In conclusion, organic foods are overall better for your health and you should try to consume them as often as possible.
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