Proof that Organic is Better for Your Health

With all this talk about organic food and all the reasons as to why you should make the switch...you're probably looking for some cold, hard facts.  I don't blame you!  Studies and investigations, when done right, take years and years to conduct, which makes proving that things like GMOs are unsafe and extremely unhealthy, a little hard to do right this second.  Yes... we have a few studies, coupled with some very promising information and examples, but there is nothing like hard evidence.  While several studies have shown benefits, theories and conclusions as to why organic food is that much better for us, more and more people are wanting proof.  Well,  I've got some for ya today!  

Thanks to the University of Barcelona and a study that they conducted, they found that organic tomatoes have far superior nutritional value than conventional (non-organic) tomatoes - including ketchup and tomato juice.  Why is this?  What makes something 'Organic' or not has to do with {in the case of tomatoes} the way it's grown.  Conventional tomatoes use nitrogenous fertilizers while organic tomatoes do not and therefore, these organic tomatoes activate their own defense mechanisms instead of having chemicals do the dirty work for them.  Why is that so important?  The more stress that a plant is under the better for us because they produce more polyphenols (defense mechanism) and that means more antioxidants and nutrients :)  Ummm...does anyone find this stuff crazy interesting like I do?!?  How cool is that?  These polyphenols -which are natural antioxidants- help significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, as well as helping reduce some cancers. 

Okay don't get all Notting Hill on me with the whole "Fruitarian" deal... "Yes, these carrots have been murdered"...remember that part?  HaHa.  If you go the organic route you're not literally putting a ton of plants under stress, you are simply allowing them to live exactly the way they were designed to live and grow; defense mechanisms and survival tactics are natural parts of life.  

So what does this all mean?

For some of you you're probably thinking...."Well, I don't even like tomatoes, so this really doesn't benefit me at all."  Let me ask you this...Do you really think that a tomato is the only thing that is better organic than conventional?  Yes, so far they are the only ones with proof....yet... but one could conclude that the evidence in this study could be carried over to other organic vs. conventional debates. I can't imagine ever finding that a conventional fruit or vegetable would be more beneficial then it's organic version ... and this study just goes to support that even more.  Better nutrition, way more benefits and no chemicals or toxins!  

This is GREAT news and I'm certain just one of many many more to come :)  So tell me what you think... Are you starting to warm up to the idea of Organics?  

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Source

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120703120630.htm

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