organic food

[derg]

I know it's already been discussed here, but a search turned up little general info. If you know of some good threads you can point me to, or websites, I'd appreciate it.

So do you think it's worth the extra cost?

I'm learning about how berries, leafy greens, and root vegetables in particular tend to soak up quite a lot of pesticides-perhaps more than we even know, which could have unhealthy repurcussions down the road.

On the other hand, the screening process for food in Canada & the U.S. is quite stringent. Stringent enough? Just how dangerous are the pesticides that we unknowingly consume each day?

 

[derg]

OK, this answered most of what I wanted to know.

tempest2003
Elite Bodybuilder

Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,725
Karmic Power: 0
Karma Hits: 3324


Re: Organic Vs. Regular
organic means grown with natural fertilizers such as manure, bone meal, kelp, etc. all natural nutrients. Veggies fruit and basically everything we are fed these days has been modified to grow as large as possible for the best interest of the harvester. these products are fertilized and fed with chemical fertilizers etc. which in return do not allow these natural products to be as healthy as they should be, and we end up paying primarily for water in our products. Organic, while smaller, and more expensive are by far the best way to ensure longevity. organic plants fruits etc are anywhere from 20-60% more healthy than any regular shelf products you can purchase. plants which are not grown organically lack the nutrients in the soil to provide us (the consumer) with the adequate, and often times essential vitamins and minerals our bodies require to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, buy organic products whenever possible.

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473687

 

[Lifterforlife]

Interesting subject...much debate on it. In my opinion, it hasn't been proven to me that organic is worth the extra price. Much data shows no change in nutritional value. Studies done touting both sides if you follow the money will be funded by that group somewhere.(show me as in the above post some proof that organic products are 60% more healthy.)

Now, a smaller farmer may well be able to grow organic, as he has a small crop and can "work" more with his crop. A larger farmer, say 100 acres cannot do this. So what does he do?

My thoughts in the end are pick your poison...either die from the pesticides used or die from the bugs the organic farmers don't use the pesticides to kill.

 

[g35mann]

Theres no question in my mind that prganic is worth it. I pretty much did a full transition to organic within the last year. Sure it twice the price but everything really does taste better. And the meat! ha night and day difference. Organic grass fed beef is proven to have less sat fats and a boost in vits and mins plus it taste so so so much better.

If you dont want to be a hardcore organic person, i would just make the switch to organic meat and keep everything else the same.

 

[Skarh]

If you eat a purely organic diet you can wave bye bye to cancer forever...the nutrients will keep your body alkaline and hence cancerous cells cannot survive

 

[muchmass]

If you eat a purely organic diet you can wave bye bye to cancer forever...the nutrients will keep your body alkaline and hence cancerous cells cannot survive

You think cancer is caused my malnourishment??

 

[Lifterforlife]

So much hogwash out there....I have seen no conclusive proof either way...to wit...

1: Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2003 Sep;54(5):357-71.

Organic food: nutritious food or food for thought? A review of the evidence.

Magkos F, Arvaniti F, Zampelas A.

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.

Apparently, one of the primary reasons for purchasing organic food is the
perception that it is more nutritious than conventional food. Given the
increasing interest towards organic food products, it is imperative to review
the existing literature concerning the nutritional value of the produce, and to
determine to what extent are consumer expectations met. There are only few
well-controlled studies that are capable of making a valid comparison and,
therefore, compilation of the results is difficult and generalisation of the
conclusions should be made with caution. In spite of these limitations, however,
some differences can be identified. Although there is little evidence that
organic and conventional foods differ in respect to the concentrations of the
various micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements), there seems to
be a slight trend towards higher ascorbic acid content in organically grown
leafy vegetables and potatoes. There is also a trend towards lower protein
concentration but of higher quality in some organic vegetables and cereal crops.
With respect to the rest of the nutrients and the other food groups, existing
evidence is inadequate to allow for valid conclusions. Finally, animal feeding
experiments indicate that animal health and reproductive performance are
slightly improved when they are organically fed. A similar finding has not yet
been identified in humans. Several important directions can be highlighted for
future research; it seems, however, that despite any differences, a
well-balanced diet can equally improve health regardless of its organic or
conventional origin.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 12907407 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[derg]

Based on that article I think we can conclude that it isn't worth the extra price. I think it might be in the future though, as crops and ecosystems become more strained.

 

[g35mann]

Honestly, i dont think fruits and veggies are worth the extra price nor do i think there anymore nutricious. But i will tell you that organic meet is hands down worth the price and deff is more nutricious and heathy.

 

[g35mann]

A perfect example of what i trying to say is Egglands best eggs. Simply by changing the hens diet, the eggs have more vit c, 25% less sat fat, omega 3's less cholesterol ect... wouldnt you rather pay $1 more?