Are you planning to switch to the enlarging organic food lifestyle? Wel, if you are then you are certainly deciding the right thing. Everyone wants the best food for themselves and their families, and organic diet seems to be the latest growing trend among young adults. So what constitutes a healthy diet? Researchers have claimed that the key to boosting a healthy lifestyleis to focus on the concept of nutrition. Organic living is not only healthy living, but also provides al the essential nutrients and minerals required by the body. But how?
“Organic” basicaly refers to any substance that is carbon based. That said, organised raised foods are produced using organic farming methods. It involves restricted use of modern synthetic inputs such as chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. Only certified farms after meeting the organic standards can label their food as organic. These standards are:
. Prohibition of chemicals, herbicides, sewage sludge and irradiation.
. Organic crops to be grown in safe soil
. Regular on site inspections
. USDA certification that forbids use of antibiotics, growth hormones or animal by products in raising the livestock
. Organic eggs need to come from cage free chickens
. Detailed elaborated records of practices used
The main objective of organic food and organic farming is to integrate biological, mechanical and cultural practices that promote cycling of resources, foster ecological stability and conserve biodiversity. It is also one of the ways to “go green.” Fresh green leafy vegetables such as spinach, arugula, celery, bel peppers, kale etc are sprouting up in drinks, snacks and sweets. Organic fruits such as strawberries, apples, nectarines, grapes, blueberries, cherries, pineapples etc are high in nutritional value and very beneficial for a healthy wel being. Data has disclosed that green vegetables and fruits top the category offering organic choices world over. According to a research, the most regularly purchased items after vegetables and fruits include, organic pulses, organic milk, organic food grains and fruit juices.
According to the “Organic Market Report,” United States, the world’s leading organic market has shown robust growth in the year 2013. Sales of organic products in China have elevated in the previous five years and Brazil is showing an annual growth rate of 40 percent. Organic sales in Asia are estimated to grown 20 percent annualy over the next four years. These notable success rates and bolstering demands cater to the folowing health benefits that organic food offers:
1. High Nutritional Value: A number of studies have revealed that such foods contains many nutrients in great amounts than conventional foods. They have also proved that consuming organic diet can have extremely positive effects on human health. Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants and therefore help to prevent many chronic heart diseases and various types of cancers. A recent study in the “Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture” revealed higher vitamin C and antioxidants in organic broccoli than conventional one.
2. Heart Health: Conjugated Linoleic Acid is a heart healthy fatty acid that can be found in the animal products. This acid is believed to boost cardiovascular protection and is found in huge quantities in meat for animals that have been raised cage free.
3. Better Taste: The taste of such foods is much superior to any conventional produce. Most of the top restaurants use organic foods in their menu as the taste of fresh organic produce is simply irresistible
4. Antibiotic Resistance: Most of the people are very conscious about their health and take antibiotics when they fal il. Non organic food sources also use antibiotics to feed their animals. These antibiotics have many side effects and thereby weaken the immune system while reshaping it so many times that it eventualy fails to protect itself. Organic farmers and dairy food growers do not use such antibiotics in their process.
5. Pesticide Free: Since organic food is not prepared using any chemicals or fertilizers, therefore it does not harm the human body in any negative way.
6. Save the Environment: Conventional farming techniques erode soil and use perilous fertilizers and insecticides, that may take ages before they are gone. Organic farming is environment friendly as it causes negligible water, soil and air polution, thus aiding to a healthier and safer world for future generations to live in.
Therefore embrace organic food and let your brain and body function at maximum capacity. Go fresh, Go green, Go organic!