Organic Foods More Safer and Nutritous to Health

Organic refers to the manner in which agricultural products such as grains, vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products are grown and processed. Organic farming methods are aimed at encouraging the conservation of soil and water and on reducing pollution. Organic farmers do not employ conventional methods of fertilization, weed control and prevention of disease. Instead of using chemicals to curb the growth of weeds, they may spread manure or mulch or carry out crop rotations to keep weeds away.
There are also some other differences between organic and convention farming techniques. Organic farming involves the application of natural fertilizers like compost or manure to nourish the soil and plants. In order to keep pests at bay and to reduce the occurrence of diseases, organic farmers make use of beneficial birds and insects. Mating disruption and traps to capture pests and disease reduction may also be used. Weeds are controlled through crop rotation, hand weeding or mulch. Animals are fed organic feed and are allowed to stay outdoors. Disease in animals is prevented through rotational grazing, clean living environments and balanced diets. In contrast, conventional farming methods involve the use of chemical fertilizers to encourage growth of plants. Insecticides are sprayed onto the crops and plants to keep pests away. Weed management is done through application of chemical herbicides. Animals are administered growth hormones and other medications to promote growth and prevent disease.
However, there has been no conclusive evidence that organic foods are more nutritious than conventionally famed foods. The appearance and quality of organic foods is almost the same as conventional foods. They differ only in terms of how the food was produced and processed. Organic foods are known to spoil more quickly since they do not undergo any wax or preservative treatment. Some experts also argue that the quantity of pesticides sprayed on conventionally grown produce is too small to pose a health risk. Most organically grown foods are more expensive that conventional foods. This is on account of the expensive farming techniques, lower yields and stricter government regulations. Some people say that there is a difference in taste between organic and conventional foods, while others do not detect any variation. When buying any type of food, it is important to buy fruits and vegetables only when they are in season. Also read food labels carefully as some foods that are marked as organic or those that are labeled as containing organic ingredients may not necessarily be healthier. This is because they may still contain high levels of fat, salt and sugar.