Organic Verse Non-Organic

Understanding whether organic products are worth the money

Organic has become a bit of a buzz word. It can be used to highlight core values in farming and agriculture practices but also as a marketing tool to give the illusion a product is ‘healthy’. I think it’s always important to understand the why behind the choices we make, so lets break down all things organic so you can decide whether to invest.

Firstly What is Organic?

Organic farming standards are different between countries and states however the main commonalities are that the farming practices are aligned with nature. It generally avoids using: Synthetic pesticides & herbicides, Artificial fertilisers, Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) & Routine antibiotic or hormone use in animal farming. Instead, organic systems focus on soil health, biodiversity, crop rotation & natural pest management.

Pesticides

One of the main differences between organic and non-organic foods is pesticide residue.

Conventional farming relies on chemical pesticides to protect crops from insects, weeds, and disease and while these chemicals are regulated and are considered low levels of chemical exposure, over time and with consistent exposure these can build up in the body and cause more burden, particularly detoxification organs such as the gut, liver, kidneys and lymphatic system however all our systems are interconnected and every organ gets effected. 

I like to think of it like, would you still consider insect spray poisonous to consume even if you just did a small spray in your mouth. Now imagine doing that on a daily or weekly basis. 

Pesticides are not just on the outer skin of fruit and vegetables but they begin to become a part of the plants' make up as it grows and develops under consistent conventional farming practices. Those foods will still have traces of these chemicals even if you peeled the skin or washed them thoroughly. 

But, it’s not always avoidable or affordable so who is most important to lean towards consuming organic foods. 

The most vulnerable populations to be avoid pesticides where possible include:

• Babies & children

• Pregnant women 

• Breastfeeding women 

• Couples trying to conceive (both male & females should avoid)

• Those with compromised detoxification pathways

Are Organic Foods More Nutritious?

Plants don’t just produce vitamins and minerals, they also produce secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, ect.

These compounds are part of the plant’s natural defence system, produced in response to environmental stressors such as:

• Drought

• Extreme heat or cold

• Strong sunlight (UV rays)

• Pollution 

• Heavy metals

• Imbalanced soil pH

• Insect & animals

Because organic plants are often exposed to more natural stress (rather than being chemically protected), they can produce higher levels of these protective compounds. 

Secondary metabolites benefits include:

• Antioxidants (reduce oxidative stress)

• Anti-inflammatory effects

• Support gut health and microbiome diversity

• Tissue protective actions with different plants having more affiliations with the protection of certain organs

• Immune system support

• Support metabolic health

While organic food isn’t always higher in every nutrient, it often offers greater phytonutrient diversity, an important part of whole-food nutrition. 

Soil Health = Human Health

Organic farming prioritises soil biology which includes prioritising beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms that support plant nutrition. 

Healthy soil leads to:

• Better mineral uptake in plants

• Improved resilience to environmental stress

• More nutrient-dense food

Antibiotics

When it comes to non-organic meat, farmers often inject their livestock with antibiotics to reduce death rates and disease. Consumption of these meats can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.

Non-Organic Foods

Non-organic foods are not inherently “bad” or unsafe. For some they rely on conventional products due to cost, accessibility and availability. If there is one this you take aways from this please let it be that eating more fruit and vegetables is more important than avoiding them altogether and that if organic isn’t always an option, you can:

• Wash and scrub produce thoroughly

• Peel when appropriate 

• Prioritise organic options for foods eaten with the skin on (such as berries, apples, and leafy greens) 

• Choose locally grown or seasonal produce when possible

A Realistic, Balanced Approach

Health is not built on perfection. For many people, a practical approach might look like:

• Choosing organic for key items when possible

• Supporting local farmers and seasonal produce

• Focusing on whole, minimally processed foods

• Eating a diverse, colourful diet rich in plants

So, Does Organic = Healthy

Now you may feel like the answer to this is yes given what we have spoken about above but in reality organic does not automatically mean healthy. Why? This is because Organic has become a marketing term. Most people do make the assumption that a product that is organic is healthier and are therefore less likely to read the ingredients, however organic foods can still have ingredients that aren’t optimal. 

A perfect example of this is the Woolworths Macro Organic almond milk. Although it is organic, it still contains seed oils, which can be inflammatory to the system, as well as unnecessary sweeteners, whereas there are other brands that simply contain almonds and water that are better choices in terms of ingredients. This is a whole other conversation about reading food labels; however, the consensus is that organic single-ingredient foods are great, but it’s still important to read the packaging of other organic products to decide whether the recipe is worth purchasing or if the use of the word organic is simply a marketing tactic designed to mislead consumers.

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