Are you wondering whether to pay extra for the organic version or a product? We often assume (or at least hope) that organic food trumps conventionally produced offerings. But does science back that up? Let’s take a closer look at some common beliefs around organic to see if they hold up.
Myth #1: Organic Food Has More Nutritional Benefits
Organic produce MUST have more vitamins and minerals in there, right? But when researchers compare the nutrient content of organic and traditionally grown produce side-by-side, the results might surprise you. Most research shows they’re similar in nutritional value!
After 50 years of comparing conventional and organic produce, scientists conclude that the two share way more common ground than differences when it comes to vitamins, minerals and other good-for-you nutrients. The levels are mostly alike.
So, while it seems logical that pricier organic food would have extra nutritional value, the hard evidence just doesn’t clearly support that. What experts emphasize is getting plenty of fresh produce, regardless of whether organic or not. The consensus is that nutritionally, organic, and conventionally grown foods have way more common ground than they have differences.
Myth #2: Organic Foods Taste Better
Some argue that organic fruits and veggies simply taste better. But numerous blind taste tests between organic and non-organic foods show that people often can’t tell the difference. Even when asked to pick the produce they think tastes superior, participants had to guess when it came to distinguishing flavor differences.
It seems our brains can play some tricks when we know one option has the buzzword “organic” attached. But in repeated double-blind trials removing that label association, people can’t reliably tell which one tastes fresher or more flavorful.
The scientists conducting these studies concluded that any taste differences between organic and traditionally grown produce, if present at all, are likely too subtle for our palates to consistently perceive. So, while it’s a popular notion, the evidence doesn’t back up the idea of superior flavor driving the appeal of organic.
Myth #3: Organic Farms Don’t Use Pesticides
Lots of people choose organic because they want to stay away from pesticides – makes sense! Many people assume going organic means no pesticides, period. But that’s a common misconception. Organic farms do use pesticides and fungicides to protect crops, just like regular farms.
Here’s the ironic thing – those organic pesticides come from natural sources, but some may still pose health and environmental issues. There was one called Rotenone that actually got discontinued, even though it’s plant-derived. Turns out “natural” doesn’t automatically equal safe.
Organic pesticides do tend to be LESS toxic and break down quicker than the synthetic, non-organic kinds. So, they may be a safer route overall. However, some research has found certain organic pesticides to be riskier than their lab-made counterparts. It’s not a black-and-white thing.
The bottom line is pesticides are used in both organic and traditional farming. There’s nuance here – neither is 100% pesticide-free or safe. But organic options may pose fewer risks, on average.
But however you look at it, the idea that organic farms are completely pesticide-free is a myth. To truly understand the farming practices, it’s essential to inquire about the specific methods used by local producers.
Myth #4: Organic Foods Are Always More Expensive
It’s true that organic apples or carrots can hit your wallet harder than their conventionally grown counterparts. Sticker shock is understandable – who doesn’t wince at parting with more hard-earned cash just to fill the fridge?
But when we take a broader look, the story around affordability is more nuanced. While organic foods often carry higher price tags today, the gap is narrowing over time. As more farmers adopt organic practices and production scales up, costs are coming down across many categories of produce and grains. Efficiency in distribution channels is improving too. So, while the premium exists now, market forces are making organics more accessible each year.
There are also ways we can be smart shoppers in getting nutritious food on the table without overspending, whether organic or not. Choosing in-season fruits and vegetables provides more wallet-friendly options. Buying store-brand organics can offer savings over name brands. And keeping an eye out for promotions and sales is always wise.
Myth #5: Organic Farming Is Better for The Environment
Organic farms use fewer synthetic pesticides, which is good. But they employ their own suite of natural chemicals for managing pests and soil.
There’s also the issue of land usage. Organic farms produce substantially less food per acre compared to conventional farms using GMOs and advanced fertilizers. This lower yield potential means organic agriculture would require massively more farmland globally to produce the same amount of food. And converting more natural land for farming carries steep environmental costs.
The takeaway seems to be that while organic practices have advantages in some areas, major concerns remain when it comes to scalability, total chemical load, and long-term sustainability compared to modern conventional farming. The relationship between food production methods and ecological impact is multidimensional – and going strictly organic may not offer the best path forward.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are still open questions about long-term environmental sustainability and health impacts too. So, don’t get TOO hung up on organic labels. Just eat your veggies!
References:
- Wilcox C. Mythbusting 101: Organic Farming > Conventional Agriculture. Scientific American Blog Network. Published July 18, 2011. Accessed December 28, 2023. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/httpblogsscientificamericancomscience-sushi20110718mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/
- “The list of organic pesticides approved by the USDA | AGDAILY.” 24 Aug. 2019, https://www.agdaily.com/technology/the-list-of-pesticides-approved-for-organic-production/.
- “Organic 101: Allowed and Prohibited Substances | USDA.” 27 Oct. 2020, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2020/10/27/organic-101-allowed-and-prohibited-substances.
- “Should you go organic? – Harvard Health.” 09 Sept. 2015, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-go-organic.
- “Are Organic Foods More Nutritious? – American Council on Science and Health.” 18 Dec. 2020, https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/12/18/are-organic-foods-more-nutritious-15225.
- Dangour AD, Lock K, Hayter A, Aikenhead A, Allen E, Uauy R. Nutrition-related health effects of organic foods: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jul;92(1):203-10. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29269. Epub 2010 May 12. PMID: 20463045.
- “Do Organic Foods Taste Better?” American Council on Science and Health, January 7, 2021.
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