No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsHealthOrganic assumptions: Looking beyond the label

Organic assumptions: Looking beyond the label

For many, the “organic” label is synonymous with better health, higher nutrient value lower calories and a premium price to match. But are organic products actually better for us? Are they worth the additional cost?

Let’s consider fresh produce. By law, organic means no pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, unnecessary hormones or radiation use during the growing, raising or processing of the food. Organic products are more sustainable, and in theory, they contain fewer chemicals that can be harmful to our health. This idea seems to imply that any non-organic fruit or vegetable is full of synthetic chemicals. However, some crops are naturally resistant to disease. Additionally, peeling foods automatically discards many contaminants. The Environmental Working Group maintains a list of the “cleanest” and “dirtiest” fruits and vegetables according to their residue contamination levels. Reading and acting on this allows you to prioritize organic purchases. Note that products do move up and down this list, so it’s worth checking annually.

It is commonly believed that organic foods have a higher nutrient status. This is difficult to measure consistently, as non-organic foods may be altered with additional nutrients, whereas organic produce relies solely on the soil they are grown in. The outcomes of studies that measure this vary, and are ultimately inconclusive. A better guarantee of nutrient levels could be achieved by buying local produce that has been harvested when ripe and sold within the week.

Organic meats are sought for lower contamination and better nutrient status as well as a consideration for animal welfare (“free range” and “natural” refer to animal treatment but do not indicate that products are organic.) The nutrient status does seem to be more favorable for organically raised animals when looking at beneficial fatty acids (good fats) and non-vitamin or mineral nutrients such as enzymes. However, be watchful of subsequent processing, especially in dairy products where the heat treatment necessary for pasteurisation can also affect the quality of the milk. Questions need to be asked about the slaughtering process and conditions. There is no point paying for organic meat if it then becomes contaminated after slaughter.

In conclusion, it is unwise to assume that an organic label equals low in calories or healthy. An organic cookie is not necessarily lower in calories, fat or sugar than a conventional one. In theory, it should boast more nutrients due to less processing, but this means it may also contain more calories via natural fats that were not removed during processing.

There are many reasons that people choose organic, and the topic is too complex to fully discuss here. However, I hope I’ve provided you with enough information to make informed decisions about what you spend your money on.

Julie Godfrey BSc (Hons) is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and full member of the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and the Complementary Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). See www.foreverhealthyco.com or email jgodfrey@foreverhealthyco.com

Trending Now

A Venezuelan Migrant’s Ordeal in Bukele’s Maximum-Security Prison

For love, Andry Hernández left his native Venezuela to cross the dangerous Darién jungle between Colombia and Panama in an attempt to reunite with...

US Visa Restrictions Target Central Americans Linked to China

The United States has rolled out a new policy that bars visas for certain Central American citizens linked to China's Communist Party. Secretary of...

Life at Costa Rica’s Stoplights: Street Vendors, Jugglers, and Survivors

After over three decades here, experiencing a new “first” is a rarity. But yesterday afternoon, while idling at a stoplight, a young man approached...

Tensions Rise as Trump Weighs Cutting Anti-Drug Aid to Colombia

If the United States withdraws certification from Colombia as an ally in the fight against drugs, “the drug traffickers win and the nations lose,”...

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz Highlights China’s Influence in Costa Rica

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz voiced sharp concerns about China's growing hold in Central America at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday. He...

The Whale and Dolphin Festival at Costa Rica’s Marino Ballena Park

Marino Ballena National Park gears up for the height of humpback whale watching, drawing visitors to see these massive creatures in action. The park...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica