Organic Foods: Always the Best Choice?

For much of human history, food was pretty much organic. In the 20th century, the rapid advancements also had negative consequences. Chemicals were introduced for growing foods. When people became educated on the negative impact these chemicals can have on the environment and human health, they fought back. It took decades for organic food to be mainstream, but now it is.

Organic food is held to a certain standard. It's food grown free of any insecticides, herbicides and non-organic pesticides, or those things are only used as a last resort.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs in the UK did a 2003 investigation on organic food growing. Although it observed that benefits were reaped, the benefits were all but lost when compared to "the basis of unit production rather than area." Simply put, organic food growing takes up more land in its production. Critics argue that this will ultimately be bad for the environment because the amount of land used for food if everybody bought only organic would be catastrophic.

Organic produce and products can cost generally between 15 to 40 percent more than foods not grown under those standards. A study by "Choice" Magazine put the percentage at an even higher rate, but there was no known consistency to that number. It depends on the product, but someone who buys only organic is paying a significantly higher portion of their income towards food than others. Some environmentalists argue that the money would be much more effectively spent on organizations that are taking other actions for the environment.

There have been many studies done to see if organic foods held a higher nutritonal value. Some of these studies indicate that it does, but the majority indicates that organic food doesn't have any higher nutritional value than non-organic food that was otherwise identical. While organic food can benefit your health in other ways, the nutrients from the food remain the same no matter what choice you make.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug, a man considered to the founder of the green movement, worries that organic farming would expand cropland and--in doing so--destroy ecosystems. At best, organic farming practices ould only feed 4 billion people, according to Borlaug.

The jury is certainly still out regarding whether organic foods are the best choice. Both sides have strong points. It all comes down to doing what's right for you. Some strive to only eat organic for the health benefits that they've received, and there are those voicing the opposing side with equal health. It all comes down to weighing the facts, and considering for yourself what you believe the right thing to do really is.