Organic Vs. Inorganic Foods

Introduction

Our world today is infested and becoming way more dangerous with all these chemicals. In an effort to increase productivity and confine bigger market shares, the use of fertilizers, pesticides, food additives such as dyes and additives has become so common that artificial ingredients are now outnumbering natural ingredients on many food content labels, and it is the opinion of many experts that this forever increasing use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical additives has a direct connection to the alarming rise in cancer rates and other health problems. (Aldrich, P. 1)

Organic foods are quickly becoming recognized as a reasonable alternative in this chemical loaded world. The focus on environmentally sound agricultural methods and prolonging agriculture is getting the attention of many who are now concerned about what they're eating as well as the environment. Organic foods are what is happening. They are becoming a part of many traditional diets, and are viewed as an important and essential part of a healthy diet plan. They are also viewed as a reliable and safe alternative to the issues regarding conventionally grown, processed, and packaged foods. Many organic followers believe that once you've tasted organic foods you can't go back to typically grown foods the taste is unbelievable. People are now looking for good food with real nutrition and quality and they're finding it in organic foods.

The realization of a need for quality food supplies is awakening interest in other areas such as environmental stewardship. These concerns range from recycling your pop cans to selecting environmentally friendly household cleaning products. Learning organics provides many easy and interesting ideas that can help you do your part in preserving a healthy, prosperous environment for the people in your family.

Body

Eating organic foods is the key feature of the natural passion that is taking over the country. Once an interest, organically grown foods seemed to be a major part of the diet of most people. Now with the growing attention on healthy habits and programs that help prevent illness, organic foods are quickly becoming the vital ingredients of the diet in typical America. Organic foods are the fastest growing style in the food industry. In fact, the demand for organically grown foods has increased 20% over last year. Sales of organic produce, for example, are now a multi-billion dollar industry. (Fisher, P. 22)

Shopping the Co op has for a long time been the best place to find organic foods. Now with increased consumer interest organic specialty supermarkets are popping up all over the nation. Major supermarkets are also stepping up to the demand, offering organic food departments and organic options in the produce sections of the store. The look of the co-op is expanding to reflect the needs of added customers, and many gourmet oriented offerings are quickly becoming a part of the every day offerings at the co op, which only helps to make food shopping an increasing interesting and fun experience.

As far as costs are concerned, those consumers jumping on the organic bandwagon will pay more for organic foods, but they believe that the benefits far outweigh the 5% to 20% increase in cost. The trend in organic food is growing and as competition increases in order to address skyrocketing customer demand, prices will stabilize.

Here are a few of the nutrients that were found in higher levels in the organic foods:

Ш Chromium is a micronutrient that is low in Western diets. Its deficiency is associated with the onset of adult diabetes and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Chromium was found to be higher in organic foods by an average of 78%.

Ш Selenium is one of the antioxidant nutrients that protect us from damage by environmental chemicals. It is protective against cancers and heart disease. It was found to be an average of 390% higher in organic foods.

Ш Calcium, needed for strong bones, averaged 63% higher in organics.

Ш Boron, which has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis (along with calcium), averaged 70% more.

Ш Lithium, which is used to treat certain types of depression, was 188% higher.

Ш Magnesium, which reduces mortality from heart attacks, keeps muscles from spasming, and eases the symptoms of PMS, averaged 138% more.

Ш In short, many of the minerals that I most often prescribe to my patients are found in much higher levels in organic foods.

ORGANIC VS NON-ORGANIC

Variations in Mineral Content in Vegetables

% of dry weight Milliequivalents per 100 gm dry weight Trace Elements parts per million dry matter

Ash Phos Cal Magn Potass Sod Boron Mang Iron Copp Cobalt

SNAP BEANS

Organic 10.45 0.36 40.5 60.0 99.7 8.6 73 60 227 69 0.26

Inorganic 4.04 0.22 15.5 14.8 29.1 0.0 10 2 10 3 0.00

CABBAGE

Organic 10.38 0.38 60.0 43.6 148.3 20.4 42 13 94 48 0.15

Inorganic 6.12 0.18 17.5 15.6 53.7 0.8 7 2 20 0.4 0.00

LETTUCE

Organic 24.18 0.48 71.0 19.3 176.5 12.2 37 169 516 60 0.19

Inorganic 7.01 0.22 16.0 13.1 53.7 0.0 6 1 9 3 0.00

TOMATOES

Organic 14.20 0.35 23.0 59.2 148.3 6.5 36 68 1938 53 0.63

Inorganic 6.07 0.16 4.5 4.5 58.8 0.0 5 1 1 0 0.00

SPINACH

Organic 28.56 0.52 96.0 203.9 257.0 69.5 88 117 1584 32 0.25

Inorganic 12.38 0.27 47.5 46.9 84.6 0.8 12 1 19 0.05 0.20

Other studies have looked at vitamin levels of food plants treated with certain pesticides. They showed that application of some pesticides would significantly lower the vitamin levels in the plants they were applied to. This is different than the notion that plants raised with chemicals are low in nutrients because the soil is used up. This shows that chemicals actually reduce the amount of nutrients in plants after application.