In this article, we will discuss the benefits of organic food, its benefits, and some common questions related to it.
What is Organic Food?
Organic food is grown using eco-friendly techniques without using chemicals, colours, artificial flavours and preservatives. By using controlled and eco-friendly techniques, these foods are produced in limited quantity and make these foods expensive. These foods are healthy and don’t have any immediate or long-term effects on the person. Natural manure is used in place of fertilizers and pesticides.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) controls organic food production via its National Organic Program (NOP). The government monitors and tags food as 100% organic, made with all-natural organic methods.
What Are the Benefits of Organic Food?
Organic food is a trending concept with a lot of future markets because of its benefits. Some of the benefits are discussed below:
Organic foods are healthy:
Organic food is produced through natural processes without using any artificial chemicals. This makes the food ideal for consumption by any person with or without any disease.
Conserves soil fertility and flora:
Organic food is natural and not using any chemicals helps to conserve the natural fertility of the soil. This also helps to conserve the natural flora of the soil. This keeps the fertility of soil intact and can be productive for years. Using chemical fertilizers degrades soil fertility and loses all the nutrients in the soil.
Antioxidant properties:
Organic food has good antioxidant properties, which help to detoxify the person from the harmful oxidants made during the metabolism. Antioxidant properties lead to anti-ageing properties which help to delay the ageing of the person.
Reduces the disruption of the wildlife:
The use of chemicals and other fertilizers for the production of food has an impact on the wildlife of that area. Some chemicals have bad smells or bad affect on the other natural plants around the cultivated land. This affects the local natural wildlife of the area and impacts on the natural food chain of the area. Organic food is the substitution for this problem as it does not use any type of chemical for farming.
Helps to improve the quality of life:
Organic food is all through a natural process, which leads to almost zero side effects after consumption. This improves the quality of life by boosting immunity and decreasing the chances of diseases. Long-term food with chemicals can have effects on health and can disrupt the genes.
Good nutritional Quality of Food:
The nutritional level of food is good and there are no harmful chemicals in the food. Using natural methods improves the nutritional values without compromising on the other parameters of the quality. Natural foods have more quantity of antioxidants, which usually have a great impact on the detoxification of the body and boost immunity.
Reduces water pollution:
Organic farming also has the great benefit of reducing water pollution on a larger scale. Using fertilizers drains the water bodies and pollutes the water. This also affects the natural life and food chain of the water bodies leading to ecological disturbance. This can be reduced through organic farming.
What Are the Disadvantages of Organic Food?
There are various disadvantages of organic food, these include:
Costly:
Organic food is more expensive than the food produced through conventional methods. Organic foods are labour-intensive and need more time than conventional foods.
Limited production:
Organic food is produced in a limited amount due to time and the method needed to grow the food. These parameters limit its production and also add the cost to it.
Loss of Nutrients:
Organic foods are more prone to the loss of nutrients as compared to conventional food. We can’t store the food for too long nor the nutrients remain intact because preservatives are not added.
Certification process:
The certification process is time-consuming and adds to the cost of the food. This is one of the disadvantages.
Conclusion
Organic foods are foods grown in natural conditions without using any chemicals or fertilizers. These foods are healthy and don’t have any immediate or long-term effects on the person. The benefits of organic food include food that is healthy, beneficial, has good nutritional value, has no risk to the environment, reduces water pollution etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is organic food?
Organic food is grown in natural conditions without using any chemicals or fertilizers. These foods are healthy and don’t have any immediate or long-term effects on the person.
What are the benefits of organic food?
Various benefits of organic food include: nutritious, healthy, having good antioxidants, low risk of diseases etc.
What are the disadvantages of organic food?
Disadvantages of organic food are that it is costly, nutrient loss, limited production and availability etc.
Is it good to consume organic food?
Yes, organic food doesn’t contain any type of fertilizers or pesticides, which makes it a healthy food option.
Why is organic food costly?
Organic food production is labour-intensive and takes time in the natural cyle, which is why food is costly.
