The “Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen”: Research on Organic vs. Conventional Foods

Are organic foods more nutritious than conventional? A controversial Stanford study claimed that organic foods provide no added nutritional value. Needless to say, the study generated a great deal of uncertainty. People were confused about whether organics are worth the extra time, effort and of course, higher costs. It’s a valid question, so let’s try to sort these issues out.

First of all, there were flaws in the Stanford study. For one, they focused almost entirely on standard vitamin content, which is a narrow approach to nutrition, especially considering the countless phytonutrients available in different plant foods. As New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman noted: “By which standard you can claim that, based on nutrients, Frosted Flakes are a better choice than an apple.”

In our view, eating organic should be a celebration of natural food, ethically grown, which supports our family’s health, farm workers’ health, and the health of the environment.

Plus, there’s evidence showing that organic foods do offer more nutrition.

Consider the Tomato

A study from scientists in Brazil on organic food contradicts the Stanford study. The researchers investigated whether organically grown tomatoes have more nutritional compounds than their commercially grown counterparts.

The study found that organic tomatoes tended to be significantly smaller; however, they also had much higher concentrations of vitamin C as well as lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant phytonutrient. It’s what makes tomatoes red and has been linked to numerous health benefits; and we all know the values of natural vitamin C. The organic tomatoes had vitamin C concentrations as much as 55 % higher than the other variety.

Pesticides

Beyond nutrition, people choose organic food and products because they’re concerned about pesticides, and with good reason.

While organic foods will definitely reduce exposure to pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and other harmful compounds, they won’t eliminate this exposure. The truth is, pesticides and similar health –robbing chemicals can even be found in some organic foods; in our water-ways, air, soil and animal products, among other sources.

ecoNugenics recommends taking the next step toward greater health, by actively working to detoxify pesticides, heavy metals and other pollutants from our bodies. That’s why we offer clinically researched solutions such as PectaSol-C®, PectaClear® as well as ecoDetox™ for gentle, safe detoxification and overall health support.*

PectaClear® , a blend of PectaSol-C® Modified Citrus Pectin and seaweed-derived alginates, is designed based on leading research to help remove environmental toxins like certain pesticides, heavy metals and radioactive particles from the digestion and circulation tract, and prevent reabsorption.*

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Organic foods are generally the best choice for our health, our communities and the environment. However, organic options aren’t always readily available or affordable. As a solution, the Environmental Working Group offers a Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen list of the best and worst types of conventional-grown produce, based on pesticide use and environmental impact.

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