It has been said many times that eating organic is healthier, but a recent year-long study by a European Parliamentary committee has once again proven the benefits of food without chemicals. In the report, titled “Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture,” they discovered a link between eating organic and improved early development, as well as the obvious positive of less pesticide exposure.

The study found a lower amount of cadmium in crops and a higher quantity of omega-3 fatty acids in organic meat and milk. Cadmium is a toxic metal, and exposure can cause many issues including causing cancer, and targeting the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and neurological systems. On the flip side, a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to a healthier cardiovascular system and improved brain development and function.

The difference between organic and non organic can be found by looking at produce and cuts of meat. Organic crops will typically be smaller and not look as “perfect” as non organic, simply because of the lack of use of growth enhancing substances. They will also be without the pesticides, preservatives and processing that one would encounter with non organic foods.

The same could be said of meat as well, with non organic cuts of meat being larger due to the use of growth hormones on livestock. There is also the added risk of antibiotics being used in cattle and poultry leading to an epidemic of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the U.S. and worldwide. Animals used to produce organic meat, eggs and milk are all raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones.

Many people are moving to a more natural lifestyle by growing their own fruits and vegetables, as well as by raising backyard chickens to offset the chance of polluting their food sources with harmful chemicals and additives. By having a backyard garden, you are able to have more control over what goes in and on your food, as well as into the soil. By making your own compost, using heirloom seeds and raising chickens on organic feed, you can rid yourself of processed, growth hormone riddled, antibiotic treated food.

With the act of growing our own organic vegetables or supporting local farmers, one by one, we can raise awareness of the issues that we as a people see with our food being modified in unhealthy ways – ways that lead to obesity and disease, creating a shorter lifespan, despite the advances in modern medicine. For those that live beyond the average life expectancy, a diet of chemically treated foods ensures more time dealing with doctors and prescribed medications for the multitude of health issues that can be attributed to the unhealthy products that are eaten daily.

Another benefit of growing or supporting local organic farmers is that the revenue will go directly into the community instead of into a large corporation. Support of the community leads to greater availability of healthy options, as local growers are able to expand as well as support their own families.

OrganicFarming.news has everything you need to start you with growing your own pesticide-free crops.

Sources include:

OrganicAuthority.com

OSHA.gov

FoodSafetyNews.com