Organic Food Is Healthier For Rats – And Maybe Humans Too
by on 03.31.05
In a recent press release, a group of scientists from Europe have shown that organic food is healthier, for rats. The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (UNUT) and the Danish Research Center for Organic Farming (DRCOF) found that by feeding rats only organic food they had a stronger immune systems, slept better, and stored less fat. This study casts doubt on the belief that it’s just the nutrients that count.
“If people think that eating organic food makes them feel better then they are probably right," said Dr Brandt of the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, who earlier this month pinpointed the compound in carrots that prevents cancer from developing. Read the full report, published on the website of the Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming. Or check out Dr Brandt's research into the cancer-preventing properties of carrots. :: UNUT or :: DRCOF [by T. McGee]
The presumption by the anti-organics crowd is that those who do prefer to eat organic do so out of desire to avoid eating things that they (subjectively) feel are unhealthy: e.g. that the preference is born out of supersitition. With the market as large and widespread as it is, this research tends to confirm the opposite view: that people prefer organics because of several reasons, one of which is a net positive benefit in the health category. Would be most interesting to do a comparative health outcomes study to contrast body fat index, blood pressure, etc of those who eat mostly organic vs those who care less or purposely scorn organic food (employees at Heritage Foundation for example).