Wellbeing

Is Organic Food Really Worth Its Premium Price?

We are all used to those cynical comments about organic food. Is it really organic?  Isn’t good-quality local produce better anyway?  What about the environmental impact?  Is it worth paying a premium (often around 30-50%, sometimes considerably more) for organic food?

At least one part of this controversy is now closer to being answered.  A four-year investigative project (the QLIF project, www.qlif.org) funded by the European Union has found that organic fruit and vegetables contain as much as 40% more antioxidants than non-organic ones.  A diet rich in antioxidants is thought by scientists to cut the risk of cancer and heart disease significantly.

This seems to fly against the official government stance that organic food is only a “lifestyle choice” although this position is being reviewed.

Other key aspects uncovered by the £12m study are as follows:

  • Organic dairy products are better for you. Organic products were found to have higher levels of minerals as well as antioxidants.  In the case of milk, organic was found to have up to 90% more beneficial elements (e.g. vitamin E, omega 3 essential fatty acids).  Organic cheese also had more nutrients than conventional variants tracked in the study.

  • Organic spinach, lettuce and cabbage are particularly good for you.  Higher levels of vitamin C were also found in certain organic crops including carrots and kiwi fruit.

  • The issues are complex.  Not every organic item is better for you than every non-organic one.  The study only shows on average that some organic foods may contain more beneficial elements.  Food items need to be assessed for quality case by case.

  • Different studies show different results.  For example, some studies find that organic products can sometimes be the worst offenders in terms of excess salt or sugar.  Therefore any health benefits have to be offset by these factors.  Always read food labels carefully to make well-informed choices.

  • You may be better off buying organic where foods are susceptible to pesticide residues.  See the recommended list at www.pan-uk.org (Pesticide Action Network) which includes tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, apples and grapes as some of the worst offenders, where buying organic might often be a good investment.

Food miles are another factor.  Common sense dictates that an organic product which has travelled halfway around the world may not have retained its goodness as well as a local product you could buy from your local farmer’s market.  That is quite aside from the environmental impact of transporting products around the world.

Finally, nutritionists agree that having a balanced diet is even more important than simply seeking out organic foods.  You should never miss your “5 a day” just because they may not always be available in organic form.

Disclaimer. This article is for general information only. We cannot be held responsible for any actions you might take as a result of it. Please seek medical advice before making any significant change to your habits or lifestyle.