Should you go organic?

You already make good dietary choices by including fruits and vegetables in your daily eating plan. But should you go one step further and start buying organic produce, too? 

Actually, yes. Organic is essentially a term for food that has been produced without pesticides, and chemical or artificial fertilisers. Instead, food is grown according to more traditional methods, with the soil ploughed to reduce the effects of air and water on roots, and crops rotated regularly to avoid potential diseases or pest build-up.  

The result? Food that is less contaminated and more nutritious. In fact, one study reported organic produce to have 40% higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc and iron. Moreover, organic food tends to be fresher, more natural and flavoursome, too. 

The cost of an organic lifestyle

So why is organic produce not automatically at the top of everyone’s shopping list? One word: price. Unfortunately, due to limited supply and high production costs, organic food is generally more expensive than regular fruits and vegetables, prompting most people to give the organic aisle a wide berth and shop for more affordable, regular produce. 

It’s true that at its current price, organic food is more of a luxury than a necessity, but if it’s one you can afford, making the choice to go organic can be a hugely beneficial one. And if you’re not able to buy natural as often as you’d like, an investment in an organic fruit and veg spray can still help to eliminate pesticide residue from your food, minimising your intake of any harmful bacteria.

So the next time you go shopping, make space for at least one or two items of organic food in your trolley. Even if you can’t taste the difference at first, your body will soon start reaping the valuable health benefits.

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Text: Nicola Davidson; 

Photography: Gallo Images/Getty Images