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There's a picture that has been branded on my brain: A farm worker spraying fields with pesticides; he's wearing a contamination suit and a gas mask. I remember being shocked when I first saw the image. I associated that sort of get-up with highly contagious viruses and industrial chemical leaks—not food. It was in that moment that I started to really worry about pesticide residue on the foods I eat.
Planet Green and other green-living blogs espouse the benefits of eating organic foods, but skeptics remain. While there are conflicting reports about whether organics offer more nutritional value than non-organic foods, there's no doubt organic farming is better for human health, local wildlife and the planet in general.
Top 10 Benefits of Eating Organic
- Waterways aren't contaminated by chemical run-off from farms.
- Pesticide-related health risks to farm workers (and anyone living in the area) are eliminated.
- You will dramatically reduce the amount of pesticide residue you ingest on a daily basis. Pesticides ingested by pregnant women may be linked to birth defects and health issues.
- Biodiversity is increased with the use of buffer crops, and by avoiding killing or harming insects and other wildlife that is not a threat to crops.
- Pesticides are responsible for a staggering amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
- You can avoid eating any genetically modified foods.
- Reduced reliance on chemical and agri-engineering corporations is good for farmers.
- Organic farming is healthier for the soil.
- Organic dairy cows are not injected with milk-boosting hormones such as recombinant bovine somatotrophin (rBST)—which may increase insulin levels in humans.
- Organics taste better. It's just my humble opinion, but I've noticed a difference in the taste of strawberries, peaches, grapes and leafy greens, so if you're still skeptical, I dare you to put your faith in conventionally grown foods to the test.
Cara Smusiak writes on behalf of Naturally Savvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.
Related Posts
What is Conventional Food?
Why Bother With Organic Food When You Can't Even Know What it Means?
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