Organic Nutrition
The word 'organic' has become a buzz-word and a concept that most people are familiar with. However, many people wonder why organic foods cost more than 'regular foods', and does it really make that much of a difference? Some people conclude that organic standards are merely a marketing tool for farmers to get more money for their goods. One reason organic foods are more expensive is that organic farming is more labor intensive and relies on people power rather than pesticide power.
Eating foods that have been grown without pesticides and harsh chemical fertilizers has a tremendous benefit unto itself. Organic foods contain higher nutritional value than commercially grown foods. Why? Because organic farming methods do not leach the naturally high mineral content from the soil. Essentially, organic foods mean more for the money- a higher quality product that doesn't have the dangerous chemicals and pesticides found in commercially grown foods. Our bodies depend on vital plant-based nutrients to maintain optimal health and to ward off chronic disease and ailments, and these nutrients are primarily found in the soil, healthy soil that is.
Commercial farming practices destroy the natural ph of the soil. Using a variety of synthetic chemical fertilizers as well as routinely spraying crops with pesticides and herbicides significantly reduces the quality of the soil over time. This in turn reduces the quality of the food grown in these conditions. Nearly 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded, according to scientists at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). IFPRI researchers found evidence that soil degradation has hurt the productivity of 16% of the world's agricultural land. In addition, assessments suggest that almost 75% of cropland in Central America, 20% in Africa, and 11% in Asia are seriously degraded. Organic soils have up to 3.2 times as much biomass and abundance of earthworms, twice as many arthropods (important predators and indicators of soil fertility) and 40% more mycorrhizal fungi-colonizing plant roots as compared to soils tested on commercial farms. Mycorrhizal fungi are important in helping roots obtain more nutrients and water from the soil. Organic agriculture gives priority to long-term ecological health and soil quality and also to the well being of the people eating the food produced.
In the May 2000 update to its 1999 report on food safety, the Consumers Union reiterated that pesticide residues in foods children eat every day often exceed safe levels. The update said an independent analysis of USDA's 1998 tests on fruits and vegetables found high levels of pesticide residues on winter squash, peaches, apples, grapes, pears, green beans, spinach, strawberries, and cantaloupe. The Consumers Union urged consumers to consider buying organically grown varieties, particularly of these fruits and vegetables. Down to Earth Natural Foods stores are the largest supplier of certified organic produce and organic grocery items in the state of Hawaii. Down to Earth also provides recipes and information on organic and vegetarian foods in our 'information stations' found in each store.
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