By Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., B.S. on mindbodygreen.com/ and Medical review by Bindiya Gandhi, M.D. on mindbodygreen.com/

The word “organic” has become related to being “better,” especially for foods like strawberries and spinach, but what does that actually mean? Why is eating organic a better choice for the environment and our health? Here, six reasons we must always be eating an organic diet. Plus, how you’ll be able to tell if your food is organic and which organic items should top your list when choosing produce.

1. Organic food can reduce the number of chemicals in our bodies.

Going organic, a minimum of for a few food items can reduce the number of chemicals within the body, specifically pesticides, and antibiotics. Organic food production is restricted from using synthetic pesticides, per a 2017 review within the journal Environmental Health, which results in low residue levels in foods and lower pesticide exposure for consumers.

“Although certain styles of approved pesticides are often utilized in organic agriculture, they’re often natural substances, whereas conventional agriculture uses harsher man-made pesticides,” says registered dietician, Erika Fox, RDN. Additionally, Fox says organic produce is grown using natural fertilizers compared to traditional, which uses (you guessed it) synthetic fertilizer.

2. Organic food can cause more nutritious or vitamin-enriched fruits and vegetables.

Could organic fruits and vegetables have the next antioxidant content than conventionally grown food? Well, in keeping with a 2017 study published within the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers found that organic onions did have a couple of 20% higher antioxidant content than non-organic onions.

Our soil contains critical microbial life that typically gets destroyed when crops are sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and so on. Without these synthetic chemicals within the soil, organic crops can extract the healthy minerals and nutrients they have from the bottom, resulting in more vitamin-rich food.

3. Organic dairy and meat are often healthier than non-organic varieties.

Organic dairy and meat are also healthier for you, in keeping with Fox. “Organic meat, dairy, and eggs are all raised without the utilization of hormones, whereas, conventionally raised animals are typically given hormones to supply faster growth,” says Fox. Additionally, organically raised animals aren’t given antibiotics or GMO-feed.

4. Organic food may have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

The omega-3 carboxylic acid content in organic meat could be significantly on top of conventional meat. More specifically, research from a 2016 study published within the British Journal of Nutrition, found that omega-3 carboxylic acid levels were 47% higher in organic meat.

Researchers believe the upper levels should do with what the livestock are eating since animals that are raised for organic labeling are required to graze over conventional animals—who tend to eat more grains because they spend longer indoors.

5. Organic food is GMO-free.

All organic food is GMO-free, which implies that the organisms weren’t genetically engineered or modified in any way (usually so as to form them grow faster or bigger). in keeping with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic products are prohibited from having genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

6. Organic food could be better for the environment.

In addition to being a healthier choice for your body, organic food also can be better for the environment.

“Organic farming reduces pollution, conserves water, reduces wearing away, increases soil fertility, and uses less energy overall,” says Lisa Mastela, MPH, RD, and founding father of Bumpin Blends. Farming without pesticides also can be better for the health of the animals and folks who live near the farms, because it reduces their exposure to those chemicals.

What are the simplest organic foods?

When possible, purchase and consume produce—organic or not —that is in season. for instance, within the winter, enjoy Dried Fruits and Nuts like Dried Cherries, Dried Apple, Dried Mulberries, Dried Figs, Chilgoza and Kelawo. Not only might it taste better, but it’s also more cost-efficient. once you eat produce that’s in-season, the provision can typically meet the demand, leading to lower prices.

Here is a list of the most purchased dried fruits and Nuts of Winter 2019:

1. Kelawo – Nuts dipped in Honey and Mulberry Juice
2. Buckwheat
3. Green Tea(Wild Thyme) – Tumoru
4. Pinenuts – Chilgoza
5. Organic Made Dried Apricot
6. Himalayan Shilajit
7. Nut Oil (Almond, Walnut and Apricot Nut Oil)
8. Walnut Kernel

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Getting started with organic food doesn’t require an entire overhaul of your diet. Making small, simple changes, like swapping conventional fruits and vegetables from the Dirty Dozen list for his or her organic counterparts, is a technique you’ll be able to enjoy the advantages of eating organic food.

This article was published on Mind Body Green. Click here to visit the original page.

Contributing writer Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., B.S.

Medical review Bindiya Gandhi, M.D.