We all have heard of the presence of carcinogens in almost everything – from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear, even on the paint we use for our walls. Most forms of cancer are said to be caused by our constant exposure to harmful substances such as detergents, cleansing agents, tobacco, alcohol, toxic wastes, pesticides, water and air pollution and the like.

It is understandable, therefore, if you have found yourself pondering on this thought at one point in time:  Is anything safe nowadays?

Sadly, man has brought this fate upon himself. Poor sanitary practices have polluted our surroundings.  Unhealthy habits have led to a variety of illnesses – heart diseases, cancer, stroke, lung problems, diabetes plus many more.  The best choice, therefore, is to choose to live a healthy lifestyle and modify risk factors that can be modified – like the food that we eat.

The demand for food was brought about by the increase in population, and a need for more money.  This demand has caused producers to use a variety of pesticides on their crops in order to ward off insect attacks.  This may be good news for crop producers, but definitely not for you.  Pesticides are toxic, and surely, you wouldn’t want this inside your body.  This, and the 8 reasons listed below, is why you need to go organic:

1. Organic foods are healthy.  Numerous research studies have shown that organic foods contain large amounts of important vitamins and minerals compared to non-organic ones.  Organic foods boast of higher vitamin C levels plus vital minerals such as chromium, iron and magnesium.  In fact, a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine supports this fact. More importantly, going organic means taking in antioxidants that helps prevent the development of different forms of cancer.  Statistics coming from the USA and the UK revealed that the trace elements found in non-organic foods have fallen by up to 76 percent in a period of 40 years.
   
   
2. Organic foods are additives-free. Non-organic foods are packed with additives in order to maintain the food’s quality from the time that it was processed up to the time you cook it – but not without a price.  Food additives such as monosodium glutamate, aspartame, artificial colourings, sweeteners and hydrogenated fats have been banned by organic regulations because of the health threats that they pose.  Health problems typically associated with additives include hyperactivity, food allergies, migraine headaches, osteoporosis, asthma and heart disease.
   
   
3. Organic foods are pesticide-free.  Non-organic, or conventional, farming makes use of 400 chemical pesticides (or more), covering the fruits and vegetables with a mix of poisonous chemicals due to the residues left behind.  A non-organic apple, even after washing, would still contain an average of 25 artificial poisons present on its skin. The European Commission disclosed that this seriously poses a health risk for everybody. You wouldn’t want to pose this kind of danger unto yourself, right? Researchers reported at the First World Congress on Organic Food that organic foods are relatively free from pesticides and that it contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
   
   
4. Organic foods are not genetically modified (GM). Genetically modified foods are dangerous mainly because we all do not know the long-term side effects associated with consuming such food products.  The problem is, these types of food are everywhere! In the United States alone, it was reported that almost 135 million acres have been devoted to growing genetically modified crops. The most common GM crops are zucchini, yellow squash, cocoa beans, pineapples, potatoes, corns, soy bean, strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, sweet peppers and sugar cane.  So going organic is the most practical way of making sure that you are not consuming genetically modified food.
   
   
5. Organic foods promote good health. Consuming organic foods does not only ensure safety, but it also promotes good health because of the higher levels of nutrients that they contain, especially antioxidants which are responsible for preventing oxidative damage brought about by free radicals.  Organic foods also boost the function of the immune system.  The problem with non-organic food comes from the pesticide it contains.  Pesticides are said to exert a negative effect on one’s fertility levels.  Other chemicals found in non-organic foods also causes harm to the immune system, leaving a person more prone to developing various forms of illnesses and even cancer. 
   
   
6. Organic foods taste better. Researchers from the Washington State University conducted laboratory taste trials where they found out that organically-raised products are indeed better tasting that its non-organic counterparts.  Additionally, recent research studies have verified that organic products contain very minimal nitrate levels and higher amount of antioxidants.  Nitrates are dangerous because it has been associated with a variety of disease conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer.
   
   
7. Organic foods give value for your money. Some people have chosen to turn a blind eye on organic food because they perceive it to be expensive.  On the contrary, organic foods are worth every cent that you put into buying it.  You get to eat with peace of mind knowing that what you consume and what goes inside your body is safe and healthy. Organic foods are loaded with 50 percent more nutrients, vitamins and minerals than what you could normally find in conventional foods. Imagine what this can do to your body – this would mean not having to deal with hospital bills, and from this alone, you can save hundreds of dollars! 
   
   
8. Organic foods allow you to take care of future generations.  The National Academy of Science has revealed that exposure to pesticides – even minimal, low-level exposures – can cause behavioural and neurologic problems to infants in utero. More and more studies have shown the ill-effects of pesticides.  It significantly raises one’s risk for the development of infertility, cancer, and other conditions affecting the nervous system. This is the kind of world that we now live in – a yet unborn child is already predisposed to toxic risks brought about by pesticides. So if you want to make a difference, choose organic.

Sources
medicalnewstoday.com
organic-trust.org
thenewstoday.info
organicfoodinfo.net
buzzle.com
globalhealingcenter.com
organic.org
cbsnews.com
brighthub.com
grinningplanet.com