Is organic better?

In our generation, it seems that everyone is doing away with non-organic products, and leaning in favor of the seemingly healthier organic options. The USDA has found the prices of organic products to be about fifty percent more expensive than their non-organic counterparts.Though the prices of these organic prices are noticeably higher, are the health benefits of opting in favor of such products significant enough to pay them?

Picture 1

In wake of the debate over which is better, organic or non-organic, researchers have put a lot of time in uncovering the truth. Three studies carried out in 2009, 2012, and 2014 all found that the difference in nutritional value was extremely insignificant. The only slight difference between organic and in-organic products, was that phosphorous levels were recorded to be higher in organic products.

Consumers, who are aware that organic products contain little to no increased nutritional value,  may still opt to purchase them. Why, you may ask? These consumers argue that non-organic products are sprayed with harmful pesticides, while organic ones are not. If only this argument could be justified, but sadly it is just a myth as well.

Though organic products are thought to be grown in a more natural way, their growth process still requires the use of pesticides. These are referred to a “organic pesticides”.  A study has found that these pesticides are actually needed in larger doses in comparison to the quantity needed to non-organic products. As a consequence they prove to be irreversibly, detrimental to the environment.

These findings have definitely made me think twice before I purchase organic goods in the supermarket, and I hope they urge you to rethink your choices as well!

 

3 thoughts on “Is organic better?

  1. lkr5215

    I never knew that the whole pesticide thing was a myth. Also i always assumed that organic was better for you though as you stated it is more expensive than regular food and that’s why i never really ate or bought anything organic. I would have thought that there would be more nutritional value but now hearing this it gave me some clarity. I also did not know that organic foods still used a type of pesticides. This seems to me how much research you did on this topic.

  2. Melanie Noemi Campos

    I feel the number one reason as to why people do not buy organic is not because they dont care about their health and what they are putting into their body but rather because of the price difference, as you stated. Organic products tend to more than double in price in comparison to non organic products. For those who have the luxury of buying organic, then good for them but the reality is that most people dont. When it comes to food i feel as though all should have the equal right to eat organic not because of a class difference but because or morals. A family should not be forced to eat something that has pesticides just because they cant afford to pay double for something without it. I feel as though our food industry is what needs to change and be regulated more. This article talks about if buying organic is in fact worth it in aspects of certain products. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/buying-organic-worth-it_us_57481117e4b03ede4414733d

  3. Angelica Marie Arguello

    I’ve always told my mom that I never really saw the difference between organic and non-organic foods. My mom is obsessed with buying everything organic because it’s “healthier”. Now that I read this blog and it’s findings I’ll have something to show her the next time she tells me that we need to buy the organic cereals because they are healthier for us.

Leave a Reply