Organic Foods – The New Age Protector

With improvement in agricultural technology, organic food has not only become the food of choice for the health conscious, it is also now a part of the prescribed diet by nutritionists for its high capacity to fight diseases, build immunity and reduce exposure to toxins. Organic foods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, calcium, iron, carotenoid luteins among other nutrients.

How does organic food takes care of immunity and mental health in a better way? Metals found in conventionally grown food slowly damage nerve functions that lead to certain neural diseases like sclerosis as well as interference with the production of hemoglobin may increase the risk of anemia. Similarly, solvents decrease the immunity in such a manner that the body is unable to resist infections.

Organic foods, besides reducing the impact of above-mentioned concerns, have on an average a naturally higher level of nutrients that help cleanse and purify the body and boost the immune system.

According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.S., the following fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide levels so are best to buy organic:

• Apples

• Sweet Bell Peppers

• Cucumbers

• Celery

• Potatoes

• Grapes

• Cherry Tomatoes

• Kale/Collard Greens

• Summer Squash

• Nectarines (imported)

• Peaches

• Spinach

• Strawberries

• Hot Peppers

(source: helpguide.org)

Cultivation of organic food requires less use of chemicals and depends more on natural substances like manure and compost. Besides, it controls weeds naturally through crop rotation, hand weeding, mulching, and tilling while pests are controlled by either naturally derived pesticides or birds, insects and traps as against chemical pesticides. Consumption of organic food thus ensures a much healthier and disease-free life than the conventionally grown crops and vegetables.