Organic Food vs. Chemical-based Food

The Importance of Organic Food

Organic Food is the term used to describe a food product that has had no man-made insecticide, artificial growth hormone, or commercial fertilizer used on it during its production. Many artificial additives are use on many products that are labeled as "fresh" or "natural" foods, but they are not organic food. The only time you can be sure you are buying an untainted product is when it says Organic on the label.

Most food manufacturers unnatural ingredients in an effort to produce food at the lowest possible cost, increase the food shelf life, make it look more appealing, or grow it into certain shapes or sizes. Mass production of food (mainly processed food) has ruined the food supply chain. Imagine, food was better and more fresh fifty years ago!  Today, more people develop major health conditions such as cancer and diabetes, and suffer from heart attacks and obesity than fifty years ago. On one hand, our advancement have prolonged our life expectancy while on the other hand, it is having a negative impact on our health and wellbeing.

Organic Foods are fruits, vegetables, and meats are raised without using chemicals or artificial treatments. Many consider this the true "natural" way to raise products. Animals raised organically are given whole natural foods and grains and are give room to move and not squished into small feed lots in unsanitary conditions. 

When the world transitioned from the hunting and farming phase into the industrial revolution there were still many farms and a lot of land. As populations have continued to grow there has become less and less land available or farming and less and less organic food available. As technology has advanced chemists have discovered new ways to manipulate the genetics of farm produce and animals.

This genetic manipulation has led to increasing yields allowing farmers to grow more crops on less land which on one hand solves a problem but, on the other hand, created another serious problem which is chemically contaminated food, less nutrition and worse flavor. The chemicals and hormones being used to make super meats and super vegetables are dangerous and can cause cancer and other diseases.

While farmers and ranchers dispute the data, there is no doubt the insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, drugs, and other genetic manipulations do affect our health. We promote the amount of carcinogens in cigarettes yet we hear nothing about the levels of such chemicals that are in our fruits and vegetables.

Farmers producing organic foods on organic farms use micro-organisms, bugs, bees, and other natural means of pest control and soil enrichment. They also rotate the crops and grow their organic food crops in varieties that complement each other to enhance the balance of the ecosystem.

Organic Foods have been shown to have 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins that you body needs than produce that has been farmed using conventional methods. Many pesticides have been linked to cancer causing carcinogens and hormonally enhanced meat has been linked to serious diseases.

Without all of the artificial preservatives you can taste more flavors in the food. All of the insecticides and chemicals used on produce can take away from the flavors. With organic foods and produce the flavors have not been bleached out by the chemicals so they taste better.

Your supermarket should have an organic food section but if it doesn't check online or in the paper for an organic market or organic farmer's market. If you want to feel better, more energy, better taste, and have your body perform better with less chances of disease, make sure you are buying and eating organic food.