Organic vs non-organic. Is it better for our health? Studies show for most people choosing organic, the top reason is for the health benefits* – even just buying organic food has been found to make us feel better about our own wellbeing (there’s the placebo effect in action!)
But whether the health halo is worth the price tag is a big question…
Here are 5 things you need to know
- Organic food might reduce your exposure to pesticides, just remember non-organic food is still regulated for safe levels in most western countries.
- When it comes to your nutrition, it’s unlikely to impact your nutrient intake in any meaningful way – non-organic produce is just as nutritious for the most part!
- In terms of the impact of pesticide residue on your gut microbes, there’s much more research to be done. For now, it’s well worth washing your plant foods well before eating.
- If you’re lucky enough to be able to buy organic or have access to farmers’ markets and want to make that choice, go for it! But don’t be limited to only buying organic produce, especially if it’ll risk reducing the variety of plants in your diet. It’s better to eat conventional plant foods (fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds) than to miss out.
- Last but not least, don’t be fooled by the ‘organic’ food label hype on fast-food products – ‘organic’ doesn’t necessarily mean healthier!
*There are of course environmental and ethical reasons too, that’s a whole other conversation!
