We all have seen the word organic on packages, fruits, vegetables and other produce, but what it really means when a product is labeled organic? It means that the food or ingredients to make that product has been produced or grown without or less use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, not exposed to irradiation and sewage sludge. Organic fruits and vegetables come from its natural state and have not been genetically modified (GMO). Here are six reasons why organic food is good for you and the environment:

1. More Beneficial Nutrients

Organic foods often have more beneficial nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants than non-organic food because they have fewer pesticides. Let’s think it in this way, the fewer pesticides, chemicals, and preservatives enter into your body the better it will be for your health. In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers plants absorbs less of these chemicals and boost their production of vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamins, antioxidants and other essential nutrients it what’s your body needs to nourish the cells in your organs and keep you healthy.

2. Better Flavor

When fruits are too shiny, look perfect or are oversized; this is not a good sign. Organic fruits and vegetables look normal, spotty, and usually taste better than non-organic produce. A recent Nielson Poll revealed that 45% of persons purchase organic products because “the food tastes better.”

3. Less Environmental Impact

Organic farming is more sustainable for the environment because it reduces pollution and protects the water and soil. Fewer pesticides are released into the atmosphere which helps preserve our ecosystems. Studies have shown that organic farms produce less waste and use less energy when growing organic produce.

4. You are Lowering your Carbon Footprint

By buying organic products, you are lowering your carbon footprint and supporting the environment and animals in the long run. Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by a particular human activity. Conventional farming has a higher impact on our environment because the chemicals waste enters into our water supply and oceans, damaging the soil, and producing more greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Support Local Farmers

When you purchase organic food at the farmer markets, you are supporting small local farmers, which grow their food in small quantities more naturally. Buying organic is expensive, but growing organic is not, so what you can do to cut the expense? Purchase more produce at farmers markets. When you purchase your products at a grocery store, you are paying for increased labor, packaging and distribution cost.

6. Avoid Hormones, Antibiotics, and Drugs in Animal Products

When you purchase organic meat, chicken, eggs, and dairy in a grocery store, it means that the animals have been farmed and fed “without” antibiotics, growth hormones, and other drugs. Unfortunately, the majority of animals rise for human consumption in the U.S. have been grown faster with the use of antibiotics and hormones to meet the high demand of consumers.

These are just a few of the reasons why purchasing organic food is better than buying non-organic food. Invest in your health and nourish your body with organic fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and whole foods rich in nutrients. Check the next blogs to learn how you can become a more conscious consumer and protect the environment.

Do you like this post? If you did, share your comments below and share it with your family and friends. Remember you are in charge of your health and body.

Be healthy, be happy, be the change!