Many people think that organic food will help them to stay healthier. But a new finding may come as a surprise for them. Last week on September 4, a study conducted by researchers from Stanford University showed that eating organic food may not be any healthier for people than a non-organic option. Besides, organic food as well as meat reduces a consumer’s level of pesticide ingestion and exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Many people pay as much as a third more for organic food in the belief that it is healthier and safer. But Dr. Dena Bravata and her colleagues from Stanford University Medical Center, California, looked at 237 studies which compared the nutrient content; level of the bacterial, fungal or pesticide contamination or difference in diets when people opted to go organic vs non-organic. They found that there was little significant difference in health benefits between organic and conventional foods.
Co-researcher Crystal Smith-Spangler said, “Some believe that organic food is always healthier and more nutritious. We were a little surprised that we didn’t find that.”
The researchers pointed that when food is cultivated, they are mixed with pesticides and the chemicals often spread beyond the crop and into the surrounding soil, water and air. So technically people are eating pesticide and chemical mixed food. But those people hardly experience the associated negative health effects.
Researchers found no consistent differences in the vitamin content of various foods. They also found no difference in protein or fat content between organic and conventional milk. It’s true that researchers were unable to identify specific fruits and vegetables for which organic appeared consistently to be the healthier choice, but they found that organic produce was 30 per cent less likely to be contaminated with pesticides than conventional fruit and vegetables.
Dr Bravata said, “There isn’t much difference between organic and conventional foods, if you’re an adult and making a decision based solely on your health.”
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Source : Annals of Internal Medicine
Thanks To : Slashdot
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