Organic Fruit Is Healthier: Science Told Me So
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.27.07
Not that we’re surprised. But it is nice to have the bunsen burner brigade on board too. Some lab coats at University of California in Davis grew two batches of kiwifruit; one organically and the other conventionally with the attendant cocktail of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertiliser. Then compared the two. The organic ones showed 18% more polyphenols and 27% more antioxidant activity. Polyphenols, although sounding rather nasty, turn out to be good at reducing cholesterol, improving blood circulation and according to some studies, help in prevention of certain cancers. And antioxidants are said to be pretty effective at duelling with free radicals, known for damaging cells. The organic kiwis also produced ascorbic acid, (vitamin C). The study published in the peer-reviewed British journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, “suggests that the organic plants, thrown onto their own defences against disease and predators, are more "stressed" and therefore produce more of these beneficial compounds.” And it's not the first time such reseach has popped up. A couple of years ago we noted that organic milk had been shown to have significantly higher vitamin E, beta carotene, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Via ::AFP.
I've always wanted a shirt that said "SCIENCE!" :)
As a farmer, I can tell you that organic foods are not any healthier then non-organic. Simply put, the differances in the polyphenol levels has to do with stress, sunlight, nitrogen levels, watering regime etc.. The kiwi vine that was grown organically was under more stress then the healthier non-organic vine and produced more polyphenols. Poor farming techniques by the "scientists". If you want to compete commercially, you learn to stress your vines to produce polyphenols at the right time (coloring and ripening agents) or you go broke in the business.
Just to be clear. the root system of any plant cannot tell the differance between a nitorgen molecule from steer manure or a non-organic source. Organic is just a hoax to make folks feel better about themselves. I've grown produce both ways.
Robert Carian
There are tons of things we don't know about soil and vitamins and such. A teaspoon of black earth contains billions of microorganisms.
It's the old model to think that there are only a handful of factors. Pollan writes a bit about this, but others do too.
@RC
real treehuggers should not buy organic for health aspects but for the environmental ones.
i read about a lot of studies on the health aspect and they all say that aside from it is healthier not to eat to many pesticides there is no evidence that organic food is better to your health. but all studies on bio-diversity and soil erosion show how important it is to care for the way crops are cultivated.
i read that good pesticide and fertilizer management can also make up good bio-diversity and soil results. but because there is no labeld standard for this buying organic is the only way to avoid the support of bad practice. except you know local farmers who do well without being certified.
I agree with Lars.
It may be true that organic fruit is healthier for you, but in my eyes, the most important thing about purchasing organic foods is the preservation of the environment, so that fewer pesticides and herbicides are used on plants and crops. Going organic means that that the plants and soil suffer less damage of a growing season, and can continue to produce food longer than conventionally farmed plants. Don't you think?
Organic soil absorbs more CO2 in the atmosphere than nonorganic.