Are Organic & Grass-Fed Worth the Price?

Organic foods can cost as much as 47% more than conventional varieties. The question is, do the benefits of organics outweigh the added expense?

The first thing to consider is that a number of studies have confirmed that eating organic reduces your toxic load, since synthetic pesticides are not permitted in organic farming. It’s a well-established fact that toxic chemicals have the capacity to harm your health.

A 2014 analysis of 343 studies, found that in addition to having fewer pesticide residues, organic food crops also have about half the amount of cadmium, which is a toxic metal and a known carcinogen.

The second consideration is that numerous studies have shown that organic foods have higher amounts of certain key nutrients. One reason for this is that without the chemical pesticides, the plants themselves have to fight off disease by producing higher levels of their own antioxidants. Still another benefit is that organic produce is usually grown in healthier soil.

Meta-analysis studies have shown that organic fruits and vegetables contain anywhere from 18 to 69% more antioxidants than conventionally-grown varieties. Many of which have been linked to health benefits and disease prevention in clinical studies.

Organic foods also frequently contain higher amounts of vitamins and minerals and in the case of meat and dairy, higher levels of healthy fatty acids as well:

1. A 2010 PLOS ONE study, which was partially funded by the USDA, found that organic strawberries were more nutrient-rich than non-organic strawberries.

2. True organic free-range eggs are more nutritious than commercially raised eggs, typically containing about two-thirds more vitamin A, two times more omega-3, three times more vitamin E and as much as seven times more beta carotene.

3. Organic milk and meat from cows raised primarily on pasture have also been repeatedly shown to be higher in many nutrients, including vitamin E, beta-carotene and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been found to have a wide array of important health benefits, from fighting cancer to decreasing insulin resistance and improving body composition. Organic milk also contains about 25% less omega-6 fats and 62% more omega-3 fats than conventional milk.

New Research Confirms the Clear Health Benefits of Organic Milk & Meat:

Recent research that was published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found clear differences between organic versus conventional milk and meat. It is said to be the largest analysis of its kind. The researchers analyzed 196 studies on milk and 67 studies on meat.

Echoing previous studies, the largest difference in nutritional content, was fatty acid composition, certain essential minerals and antioxidants.

According to the review on milk, a half a liter of organic full fat milk, will provide you with an estimated 39 milligrams, or 16% of the recommended daily intake of the omega-3s; EPA, DPA and DHA, as compared to 25 mg from conventional milk.

Both organic milk and grass fed beef were higher in omega-3s, which have been linked to a number of health benefits, including; improved immunity, improved fetal brain development and function, the reduced risk of depression, as well as the reduced risk of dementia.

They also contained lower levels of omega-6, providing a healthier ratio between the two fatty acids.

Compared to conventional milk, organic milk was also found to contain:

1. Higher levels of vitamin E

2. Higher concentrations of iron

3. Higher levels of antioxidant carotenoids

4. 40% more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

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