Why it is Good to Eat Organic

Eating organic food benefits not only the individual but also the larger society and the environment. Eating organic food creates a chain of positive consequences, from consumers to farmers to monarch butterflies. This choice is about health as much as it is about sustainable development. Here are the top ten reasons why it is good to eat organic foods.

1. Organic foods taste better.

Organically grown fruits and vegetables are allowed to grow slowly. They are not forced to ripen using chemical fertilizers. As such, they have lower carbohydrate and water content, giving them a fuller taste than non-organic ones.

2. Organic foods are healthier.

A study by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that more than 60% of all herbicides and fungicides and 30% of insecticides cause cancer. Because organic foods are grown without use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, organic foods are free of chemicals that are potentially harmful to the human body. Studies show that nitrates in fertilizers also significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of Vitamin C and minerals in plants. Organic foods, as such, contain higher levels of minerals such as iron, magnesium, antioxidants, and chromium.

3. Reduce exposure to pesticides

Pesticides are not entirely washed away by rainwater. A study by the Government Pesticide Residue has show that more than 40% of all harvested fruits and vegetables in non-organic farms contain pesticide residues. Pesticide residues are highest in pears (95%) and grapes (72%). Pesticide residues can create harmful effects on fertility and development of fetuses.

Organic foods are 100% pesticide-free.

4. Environment-friendly

Organic farming creates less carbon dioxide and emissions that pollute the air since it doesn't use fertilizer and other chemical sprays.

5. Preserve wildlife and biodiversity.

Conventional farming especially those used by large-scale agri-businesses involves mono-cropping. This method results in depletion of soil nutrient and reduction of species variety. Use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are non-specific, and so may also kill other insects and animals. Organic farming, on the other hand, uses methods such as crop rotation and composting--- methods which are basically about working with nature than against it.

6. Preserve water quality.

Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals may runoff into streams or seep into our groundwater. Testing of groundwater in many municipalities in the US have shown that drinking water sources are positive with traces of farm chemicals. Organic farming keeps our water resources free from pollutants and nitrogen leaching.

7. Improve soil quality.

Conventional farming techniques, particularly tillage, cause soil erosion and loss of topsoil. Organic farming adopts a "no-till" method. New crops are planted directly on crop residues. This method maintains both the structure and fertility of the soil.

8. Protect farm worker health.

Conventional farming, which involves use of fertilizers and pesticides, exposes farmers to the highest amount of harmful agricultural chemicals than any other segment of the population .

9. Organic foods are GM-free.

The effects of genetically-modified organisms are not yet fully understood, but certain studies show that GMOs are potentially harmful to humans and animals that consume them. GMOs also pose significant risks to wildlife biodiversity and to the ecosystem.

10. Organic farming expends less energy.

Processing of chemical fertilizers involves substantial amount of energy input (electricity and water). Transport of commercial chemicals from factory to store to farm requires fuel energy. Since organic farmers use natural farmers such as manure and compost, they often turn to renewable and alternative energy sources in the making of these fertilizers. These natural-fertilizers are also made or sourced within or from near the farm, giving farmers savings on transportation fuel.