The term ‘ organic food ’ means the food that have been grown or farmed without the help of artificial chemicals , hormones , antibiotics , genetically modified organisms ( GMO’s ) .
If a food is labelled organic that means the food is free from preservations , coloring , flavoring and monosodium glutamate ( MSG )
Benefits of organic foods
Spices
Organic spices like turmeric , cumin , coriander have higher level of beneficial antioxidants and essential oils . These organic spices provide us digestive properties as well as they add flavors to our dishes to make it more tasty . They are also free from the synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Lentils
Organic lentils like green gram , red gram and black gram are rich in protein , fibers , vitamins and minerals . The have higher nutrient components and provide us more energy . Organic lentils are grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides .
They are very common in healthy diets.
Also Read: Organic vs Non Organic Foods
Dairy Products
Organic dairy products like milk , paneer or ghee may have higher level of beneficial nutrients and they are rich in calcium and vitamins. A good diet always take organic dairy products as first choice . They are very important for our bone health and provide essential minerals and omega-3 fatty acid .
Nuts
Organic nuts like almonds , cashews and walnuts are grown without any chemical and they are very good for our heart and they also boost our energy . The nuts contain fats , proteins , fibers , vitamins and minerals and other beneficially nutrient components .
Edible Oil
Coconut oil and sesame oil are called organic edible oil because they are extracted from organically grown plants . No synthetic pesticides , artificial fertilizers or
GMO’s are used on them , that’s why the oil that is extracted from the plant has nutritional qualities of fatty acid and antioxidants .
Also Read: How to create awareness about organic foods
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements like Ashwagandha or Triphala are all natural and loaded with vitamins , minerals , nutrients and antioxidants . The supplements are made from plant’s seeds , berries , roots , leaves , bark or flowers . They have high level of healing benefits and strongly recommended in immune function and reducing stress .
Seeds
Organic seed includes most popular seeds such as pumpkin seeds , watermelon seeds , flax seeds . They provide us various healthy nutrient and compounds like healthy fats , protein , fibers , vitamins , minerals and antioxidants . Organic seeds are very helpful because they reduces the chances of cardiac arrest and many heart related problems . They are free from genetic modifications , synthetic chemicals and pesticide residues .
Pulses
Organic pulses like chickpeas , moong dal , kidney beans are rich in protein , fiber and other nutrients . They are free from chemical residues and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease . Pulses also improve our heart health by reducing cholesterol level .
Fruits
Organic fruits like bananas , apples , mangoes , strawberries have better taste and flavor compared to other fruit plants that are grown with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers . Organic fruits can increase the antioxidants in our body . They have a huge impact on contributing in a balanced diet .
Also Read: Healthy vs Junk Foods
Vegetables
Organic farming methods can cultivate organic vegetables such as tomatoes , potatoes , carrot and spinach . Organic vegetables have higher nutrient content than the normal ones . The organic tomatoes are 50 % higher in vitamin C content than conventional tomatoes because of they are free from chemical residues , synthetic additives and genetically modified organisms .
Meat
A lot of people have a confusion about organic meat . So let me clear the doubts. Organic meat doesn’t mean any vegan substitute of meat or a meat made from vegetables , it means the meat of certain animals which are organically farmed . No antibiotics , synthetic growth hormones , GMO’s or pesticides used on them . The organic meat farmers raise the animals in a certain natural way. The organic meat can
be a great source of protein , fat and vitamin D . The organic meat production also helps to protect the environment .
Also Read: Foods that should be avoided during summer
FAQs: Benefits of organic foods
1. How can someone identify an organic food ?
Identifying an organic food is not a difficult work . You just have to watch for these below said statements –
100 % organic
Organic
Made with organic ingredients
2. Are the highly processed organic foods good for health ?
Highly processed organic foods can still be low in nutrients and high in added fat , sugar and calories .
3. Are organic foods more expensive ?
Generally , organic foods are slightly more expensive than the conventionally produced foods . The cost of organic food is higher because of the additional labor charge and time consuming practices involved in organic farming .
4. Are all organic foods free from pesticides ?
While organic farming avoids the use of synthetic pesticides , the natural pesticides those are derives from plants and minerals can be used
5. Are organic foods healthier ?
Organic foods offer potential benefits . The health benefits of organic versus conventional foods are still a topic of ongoing debate . Some studies suggest that organic foods have certain nutritional advantages although more research is needed to stand on an accurate conclusion .
Conclusion
It’s our responsibility to keep ourselves healthy and eat healthy . Most of the people are not aware of the delicious taste and high level of quality of organic food . May be it is expensive but it has several health benefits comparing to conventionally grown food .