If you've shopped for organic products before, you know that they can cost quite a bit more than non-organic items. So, why should you consider purchasing these more expensive products? What are the benefits of purchasing organic over non-organic?
Environment
- Cleaner Water: With organic farming, there are no pesticides to leak into the water, potentially contaminating our drinking water.
- Cleaner Air: Conventional farming requires chemicals to be sprayed, left to linger in the air for people and animals to be breathe.
- Soil Erosion Prevention: In organic farming, the soil is built up with organic material, such as compost, which helps to enrich the ground and prevent erosion. Enriched soil also means more nutrient rich foods
- Reduce Pesticide Reliance: Pesticides may kill off some pests, but, just as with antibiotics in people, pests can develop a resistance towards pesticides. This makes the use of increasingly stronger pesticides necessary to continuously kill off the pests. With stronger and stronger pesticides, the risk to the humans and animals becomes increasingly greater. Organic farming can help put a stop to the vicious cycle.
Animals
- No Growth Hormones or Antibiotics: Animals that are raised organically are not given growth hormones or antibiotics, so you will not have to worry about these chemicals being passed from your meat into your body.
- Humane Treatment: Organically raised animals live under much more strict guidelines, allowing them to live under better conditions than those not organically raised. I will not go into detail about these conditions, but it's enough to say that they cane be very, very poor.
- Organic Feed: Organically raised animals are, of course, feed organic only. This ensures no build up of pesticides in the animal, and no pesticides being passed onto you. Non-organically raised cows may be feed ground up remains of their own kind, which can spread bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Contaminated beef can cause Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease in humans, which is fatal. Organically raised cows are not feed animal remains.
Helping Farmers, Workers, and Their Families
- Protecting Their Health: The daily exposure to chemicals used in conventional farming can increase a farm worker's risk of developing cancer.
- Support Small Farms: Most organic farms are small, family-owned and run businesses. Purchasing organic can help ensure family survival.
Health Reasons
- Chemical Free Food: Although there is conflicting research on the subject of whether or not organic foods are healthier, eating non-organic foods have not been proven to be completely safe. These items contain no more than an approved amount of chemicals, but no one knows how dangerous ingesting the chemicals in combination from multiple food sources can be, or the long-term effects of these chemicals on our bodies.
- Clean Air and Water: As mentioned before, organic farming does not rely on harmful chemicals that can pollute our water and air, so we can breathe more freely and drink with less concern.
And As A Bonus
- Taste!: If the above reasons aren't enough to convince you to at least try organic, consider the benefits for your taste buds! From personal experience, I can tell you that organic foods taste just as good, if not better than their non-organic counterparts. No sacrificing flavor!
The above reasons for purchasing organic also apply to non-food organic items, as well. Wearing organic clothing and makeup will eliminate the harmful chemicals that can be absorbed through your skin, and purchasing organic products for your home can make it a healthier place to live.
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This post was written by Stefanie.
September 8th, 2008 at 6:43 am
You have the point here, Stefanie. For those users that have allergy to the pesticides, they should and must buy the organic foods, as if they don't, it will put their life in great danger for consume the foods that containing the pesticides!
Quote This CommentSeptember 9th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I've never actually met someone with an allergy to pesticides, but I'm sure they're out there!
Quote This CommentSeptember 17th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Hi there,
Quote This CommentGreat post, and I have read recently that eating meat treated with antibiotics is contributing greatly to antibiotic resistance, as well as antibiotic allergies in humans.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Heidi, that's true. It also applies to over-prescription of antibiotics.
Quote This CommentOctober 22nd, 2008 at 3:59 am
Organic food may be expensive but noting all those benefits in buying them, then organic food it should be then.
Quote This CommentOctober 28th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Great post. I will definitely spread this information because I couldn't agree more whole heartedly!
Quote This CommentNovember 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am
[...] Apparently, more and more farmers are getting cancer! (Source) [...]
Quote This CommentJanuary 23rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I have to say yes that organic is more costly but in the long run I do believe it is better for our health for the future. I think that farmers might just also take more time to give a better produce also the consumer being they have to watch everything better. I’m passing your blog all around to my friends and family hoping that they too will sway towards buying more organic produce and meats in the future! This is a great post and I hope I help sway people to go organic also!
Quote This CommentMarch 10th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Good post. Organic is costly but it is chemical free food and it is 100% organic ingredient. Thanks for information.
Quote This CommentMarch 16th, 2009 at 10:41 am
[...] Focus Organic – Why Buy Organic - Although this is a blog article from last year, it really explains in detail why you should buy and eat organic foods. It’s a great article and very in depth and helpful! [...]
Quote This CommentMarch 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
[...] to Us Why Buy Organic? Understand Organic Labels Buying Organic Produce 4 Non-toxic Cleaning Products Creating a [...]
Quote This CommentMarch 19th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
that's a strong list of advantages to organics. But, my favorite is the last one. The taste between organic and gmo fruits/veggies are wildly different.
It's also important to note that if you can buy locally-grown, organic foods... that would be your best bet. Not only is it healthier for you, it's also healthier for the planet.
Quote This CommentApril 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 am
The essence of going green and going organic is like taking care of our environment and our planet earth as a whole. Organic foods can be nurtured in our own background, therefore its not costly although it takes a lot of sweat to achieve the good result. At least, we care for our own health while taking care of the environment too.
Quote This CommentApril 6th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Baby should also be taking organic food because toxins are easily absorbed into the digestive system of a baby and stay in their systems longer compared to a normal adult. Although it is expensive, I believe it is worth the price for the health benefits that it will give us.
Quote This CommentApril 7th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
soap nuts, you're right, if you can purchase local, it's a HUGE bonus!
It can be expensive, but like Compare Term Life said, you can grow your own for very little.
Quote This CommentApril 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I am originally from Eastern Europe and I grew up on organic food. When I came to the United States I gained 20 lb (without overeating!)and my stomach was bothering me a lot. I had no idea about preservatives and chemicals and could not understand where all the weight and pain came from.
Then I went back to Europe over the Summer and even though I ate like a pig (my grandmother is a GREAT cook:-)), I lost weight.
I started doing research and was shocked to find out about all the chemicals in food. I just don't feel comfortable eating bread with 35 ingredients, most of which I cannot pronounce. I also don't feel comfortable eating an apple which can last 4 months without refrigerator.
I have 2 small kids now and we try to buy only organic products. Actually, it is not that expensive if you know where and how to shop for it:
http://www.organicbenefits.straightanswers.net/1-organic-on-a-budget.html
I am glad to see people who understand the importance of organic, because most of my friends roll eyes and think I am crazy.
Quote This CommentJune 19th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Excellent tips and points. We all need to start eating healthier and using eco and animal friendly products that nourish us rather than poison us.
Quote This CommentJune 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Last year I have decided to change my lifestyle - to have a healthier one and this is how I found out what organic means! I really try to be as organic as possible, but the prices for the time being are quite high. Unfortunately people don't understand the god of it but the profit from it.
Quote This CommentBe organic and feel organic1
July 4th, 2009 at 4:03 am
I've been reading quite a bit about the slow food movement that started in Italy. Much of what you talk about on this blog is consistent with that philosophy.
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