In nutrition, "organic" has become a popular buzzword. However, people might not understand what it is, what makes food organic, or why buying organic food is better than non-organic. If you're looking for a better understanding of organic food or are trying to find solid arguments to convince people to make the switch, you've come to the right place.
In today's blog post, we'll discuss organic food and its main benefits.
Organic food is fruit, vegetable, dairy, and other agricultural products grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers and preservatives. The popularity of organic food marks a significant shift in people making healthier choices, making more conscious purchases, and gaining a better understanding of where their food comes from and what goes into it.
There are tons of benefits to eating organic food. Here are just a few benefits of organic food:
Full of Antioxidants and Nutrients
Although produce is nutritious if cooked and cared for correctly, organic foods have higher concentrations of antioxidants. Antioxidants, in general, have a positive impact on the body. People who eat organic fruits and vegetables consume more antioxidants than those who don’t (approx. two extra produce per day, without increasing their intake of veggies).
Experts think that this may be because foreign chemicals are not negatively interacting with the different vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds essential for fruits and vegetables' positive impact in preventing premature ageing, vision problems, and cognitive malfunction.
Reduces Your Exposure to Pesticides
Continuing from the first reason, buying organic foods keeps your body safe from foreign chemicals that we should not consume. Although pesticides do an excellent job at keeping pests away from crops, they are also composed of powerful chemicals like organophosphorus - a synthetic mineral compound. Still, more than 80% of this material in our bodies comes from eating pesticide-coated foods.
We, the end consumer, are safe from pesticides, and so are farmers! There are many health risks associated with conventionally-grown produce. Since farmers are close to these chemicals daily, switching to organic products keeps them safe and healthy.
Since organic food is not prepared using chemical fertilisers, it does not contain any traces of these potent chemicals and does not affect the human body negatively. Natural fertilisers, like manure, work perfectly fine, and organic farmers are happy to use this smellier yet safer form of fertiliser.
Environmentally Friendlier
In the same way, organic food is better for our bodies; they're also better for the environment. Like how our bodies benefit from the lack of chemicals and additives, so does the environment.
Take organic produce - using environmentally friendly fertilisers and practices results in healthier soil, cleaner runoff water, and so on. Similarly, in the dairy and meat industries, non-organic methods can also harm the environment. By supporting the production of organic foods, you're helping ensure a cleaner and happier Earth.
Tastes Better and Fresher
What's good for the Earth and body also tastes better! Without chemical fertilisers or other unfamiliar additives, you can ensure fresher-tasting fruits and vegetables. Studies have found that stresses on the soil affect a plant’s antioxidant levels, which can go as far as to alter its taste..
Even organic dairy products, chicken, meat, and more are all tastier when raised and produced in an organic environment. Usually, organic farms involve a more humane approach to the dairy and meat industry - people find that meats and dairy products from organic farms taste much better.
Supports Local Farmers and Businesses
Organic farming usually comes from local businesses. While it's essential to support the local agriculture industry, it's also important to support the local businesses that supply their products.
In Dubai, notable places like Organic Food & Café are a local go-to for organic food. Since 2005, they have been at the forefront in popularising organic stores and cafés that provide fresh, organically grown biodynamic products, groceries, vitamins, meat, dairy products, bread, and home-cleaning supplies. Organic Food & Café picks organic products from the Emirates' most reliable organic food stores and farms.
Improves Your Overall Health
Maintaining a well-balanced diet full of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods from different food groups is incredibly important. You're one step closer to this by eating organically.
Eating organically prevents traces of unnatural fertilisers and pesticides and ensures a healthier diet. Meals and snacks made from organic products are usually less processed or use more nutritious ingredients than conventional meals.
As a result, your health could improve when fueling with organic goodness. After all, you are what you eat!
Now that you know the benefits of organic food, dive into your health journey (or convince others to make the shift). Organic Food and Café at Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah, is Dubai's ideal health food shop.
Pass by and support your local farmers and businesses, and encourage a healthier and more organic lifestyle for all!