The Benefits of Organic Food: A Comprehensive Guide

What is Organic Food?

The term "organic" refers to the methods used in growing and processing agricultural products. In the United States, organic crops must be cultivated without synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Organic livestock, raised for meat, eggs, and dairy, must have outdoor access and be fed organic feed. They cannot be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products.

DEFRA's Definition

According to the Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

"Organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilizers, pesticides; growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Irradiation and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products produced from or by GMOs are generally prohibited by organic legislation. Organic agriculture is a systems approach to production that is working towards environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable production. Instead, the agricultural systems rely on crop rotation, animal and plant manures, some hand weeding, and biological pest control."

Organic vs. Non-Organic

Organic Produce

• Natural Fertilizers: Grown with natural fertilizers.
• Weed Control: Weeds are controlled naturally.
• Pest Control: Pests are managed using natural methods.

Organic Dairy, Meat, and Eggs

• Organic Feed: Livestock are given all-organic, hormone-free, and GMO-free feed.
• Disease Prevention: Diseases are prevented with natural methods such as house cleaning and a healthy diet.
• Outdoor Access: Livestock must have access to the outdoors.

Conventionally Grown Produce

• Synthetic Fertilizers: Grown with synthetic or chemical fertilizers.
• Chemical Herbicides: Weeds are controlled with chemical herbicides.
• Synthetic Pesticides: Pests are controlled with synthetic pesticides.

Conventionally Raised Dairy, Meat, and Eggs

• Growth Hormones: Livestock are given growth hormones for faster growth.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics and medications are used to prevent livestock disease.
• Limited Outdoor Access: Livestock may or may not have access to the outdoors.

Benefits of Organic Food

Nutrient-Rich

Organic foods often contain more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, compared to their conventionally-grown counterparts. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that organic crops have 17% more antioxidants than conventionally grown crops. Antioxidants are linked to a lower risk of cancer and other diseases ([source](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/higher-antioxidant-and-lower-cadmium-concentrations-and-lower-incidence-of-pesticide-residues-in-organically-grown-crops-a-systematic-literature-review-and-metaanalyses/4A0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0A2B0