With the organic food business booming and continuing to gain steady popularity as more people go completely organic, there are many who will dissuade and decry based on several cons. According to organic food reports,, foods are labeled organic if they are grown or made without genetic engineering, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, sewage sludge, preservatives and radiation. As such, organic foods tend to have a better nutritional value, it is better for the environment and tastes better. Others complain about the high cost among other factors often cited by those determined to criticize organic foods. However, for you to decide if organic food is for you here are the pros and cons.
Pros
· Organic food is environment-friendly as its cultivation does not involve pesticides which tend to pollute air and water and synthetic fertilizers. This creates richer soil that helps the plant grow properly without their need. Also, in case of soil erosion there will be no synthetic fertilizers and pesticide residues to drain into rivers and inadvertently end up as your drinking water.
· Organic produce has a higher nutritional value as the absence of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers boosts the plants’ production of phytochemicals which makes them resistant to bugs. These phytochemical also add to the vitamins and antioxidants in the produce.
· Organic meat from animals raised in free range conditions and who have not had antibiotics, hormones and food that has pesticide residue is more nutritious and also limits your exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pesticides making it the healthier choice.
· The food is in its most natural pure form with the exception of the wildly-growing kind. This makes it ideal, healthier and less tampered with using many practices such as radiation that may cause health damage in humans especially children.
· The food is in its most natural pure form with the exception of the wildly-growing kind. This makes it ideal, healthier and less tampered with using many practices such as radiation that may cause health damage in humans especially children.
· Organic farming practices aside from preventing water and air pollution are also green and promote healthier soils in the farms.
· Organic foods do not have genetic engineering ingredients or additives whose impact on your health and environment has not been fully ascertained yet. Therefore a lack of coloring, MSG, flavorings and artificial sweeteners make these foods the healthier choice.
Cons
· The high cost of organic foods discourages many consumers. Indeed, market studies indicate that organic foods are at least 50% more expensive than their inorganic counterparts.
· Due to the lack of irradiation which is a process used to remove bacteria and improve safety, and the fact that organic foods do not contain preservatives they can go bad more quickly. They therefore, have a shorter shelf life.
· Some organic foods labeled so may also have traces of chemicals and preservatives that are not beyond the limit set by the certifying body.
In the long run, if you weigh the benefits to going completely organic you will find that the pros definitely out way the cons. There is no greater investment in yourself than investing in your health.