Preliminary results from a European Union funded Newcastle University study indicate what some of us have known all along - that organic foods are healthier and safer than conventionally produced foods. For example, the four year study has found that markedly higher levels of antioxidants and vitamin E are present in milk from organic cattle versus conventional.
Other early results from the 18million Euro 4 year study showed that organic fruit and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants than non-organic varieties, said Professor Carlo Leifert, who leads the Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project. He went on to say that larger differences were found in milk, with organic varieties containing more than 60% more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids.
The study is based on research from fruit and vegetables and reared cattle on adjacent organic and non-organic sites on a 725-acre farm attached to Newcastle University, and involves 31 research centres, companies and universities in Europe. Further information about QLIF can be obtained here.
Ultimately, Professor Leifert hopes to be able to prove that organically produced food can deliver more health giving nutrients per portion than conventionally produced food. "If we can prove that, then it is a very important new nutritional message. It is so difficult to get people to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day - if it turns out that organic food can give you 20 or 50 per cent more of the good things your body needs, it could have a big impact on the health of the nation. The biggest nutritional problem at the moment is the explosion in obesity, which is linked to heart disease and negative health. If we can take in the goodies we need in a more concentrated way, it could be an important step forward."
Antioxidant-rich food is often promoted as healthier because these compounds neutralise free radicals that are thought to contribute to aging.
The full results of the study will be released over the next 12 months. "What we're really interested in finding out is why there is so much variability ... What in the agricultural system gives a higher nutritional content and less of the baddies in food?" the Professor said.
A predominantly organic diet:
* Reduces the amount of toxic chemicals taken into your body.
* Avoids genetically modified organisms.
* Reduces the amount of food additives and colourings.
* Increases the amount of beneficial vitamins, minerals, EFA's (essential fatty acids) and antioxidants consumed
* Appears to have the potential to lower the incidence of cancer, coronary heart disease, allergies and hyperactivity in children.
So where can you source organic foods? Increasingly the supermarkets are dedicating more shelf space to organic produce and organic processed foods, but to add sustainability to the equation, why not try your local specialist health food or organic produce store? Also look for Farmers Markets in your area, and check out Community Supported Agriculture schemes (box systems) in your region. Great sites to access these are Local Harvest in the US and Farmers Market Assoc in Australia.
Do you choose organic food stuffs for your family? Why have you made that choice? Let us all know by posting a comment below.
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Sources: 'Organic Food is Healthier - Study' Ian Sample, The Guardian 29.10.2007
'Milking the Profits of Going Natural' Northern Echo, UK 07.01.2008
Organic Trade Association, 29.10.2007 http://ww.organicnewsroom.com/2007/10/the_organic_trade_association_2.html
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