| It was a near miracle when my friend, Greg, | | | | of us know the benefits of antioxidants) involved |
| walked out on his own two feet, cancer free | | | | in the plant's own defence system. The level of |
| from the hospital. And now 7 years later is even | | | | these phyto-nutrients will be higher in organic |
| a bigger miracle that his cancer didn't return and | | | | fruits and vegetables for the mere fact that they |
| he gets a clean bill of health at every checkup. | | | | have to rely on their own natural fighting ability to |
| What did he do? | | | | survive; there is no artificial help such as pesticides |
| A growing number of people, especially those | | | | so they produce more phyto-nutrients. This I |
| dealing with a serious illness, are switching to | | | | would consider a definite advantage over our |
| organic food. Why? For the simple reason of | | | | conventional foods. |
| believing that it's better for them. But is there any | | | | Better Taste |
| truth to organic food benefits? | | | | Many people believe that organic food tastes |
| What is organic food? "Under organic production, | | | | better than conventional food. This, just like other |
| the use of conventional non-organic pesticides, | | | | issues around organic food benefits is also |
| insecticides and herbicides is greatly restricted and | | | | controversial but at the end of the day it is an |
| saved as a last resort... In most countries, organic | | | | individual preference. I personally believe the |
| produce may not be genetically | | | | organic food tastes better but I grew up eating |
| modified"(wikipedia). | | | | mainly grandma's "organic" (even though we didn't |
| There is not much scientific evidence to prove | | | | call it that way) foods. The younger generation |
| that organic food is superior to conventional food. | | | | though, has developed a taste for "today's" |
| There is also a lot of controversy on who is | | | | conventional foods. So you can see how the |
| conducting the researches. Aside from all this | | | | better taste label is highly subjective. |
| controversy let's just look at what are the | | | | There are many other benefits real or perceived |
| perceived benefits. There are many but I will only | | | | that I will not elaborate on in this article. My intent |
| mention a couple, the ones are of most value to | | | | is to raise awareness. You be the judge. |
| me. | | | | Going back to my original question, what did my |
| Higher Nutrient Value | | | | friend Greg do after he survived his harrowing |
| Comparing today's food composition tables to the | | | | experience with cancer? He changed his diet |
| ones from the 1930s or '40s we'll see that the | | | | completely, eating mainly organic foods right down |
| levels of minerals found in our fruits and | | | | to the spices he uses for his food. |
| vegetables have dropped substantially. If we only | | | | Information is power. It is really up to each |
| consider the fact that these days most fruits and | | | | individual to decide what they choose to believe |
| vegetables are picked before they are ripe and | | | | when it comes to any controversial issues. As far |
| are stored longer we already start to understand | | | | as the organic food benefits goes, my personal |
| and believe the value in organic food benefits. Or | | | | opinion is that organic is better and you can't go |
| is it? Don't local grown foods supposed to have | | | | wrong if you choose organic foods. The bottom |
| the same value? | | | | line is to eat healthy in general and stay fit. |
| Many phyto-nutrients are antioxidants (and most | | | | |