Why is organic food regarded as better for you?

There’s a tonne of scepticism when it comes to organic food and whether it’s worth the expense. Is it better for you, and if so, in what way? The Soil Association says, “The way we work the land, and ultimately the food we all eat, has a huge impact on our health, our climate, and our wildlife. It’s up to all of us whether the impact is good or bad.”

There are compelling arguments about organic food for the environment and wildlife, but here we’re going to look at you: does organic food make a difference for humans?

We believe the answer is ‘yes,’ but we’re going to take a look at why.

The difference between organic and non-organic food

Organic and non-organic foods may look similar on the surface, but there's a world of difference in how they're produced.

From a simplistic viewpoint, organic farming relies on natural methods generally without synthetic insecticides, herbicides or fertilisers. Instead, it attempts to embrace practices like crop rotation and composting to nourish the soil and promote biodiversity. This results in produce that's free from, or lower in, chemical residues and can in some cases be richer in nutrients. On the other hand, non-organic farming can employ chemicals to control pests and boost growth, which can leave residues on and in the final product and may possibly degrade the soil and ultimately harm the environment. However, in the UK the storage, use and disposal of pesticides is controlled by Government guidelines and guidance.

In non-organic animal farming, antibiotics may be used to treat infections in farm animals, but there are strict policies over their use and testing is required to ensure they are not reaching the food chain. On a positive note, the UK’s use of antibiotics in farming has reduced over the last few years.

Understanding the difference for us

However, an explanation of organic vs. non-organic doesn’t necessarily get us any further. What we need to understand is why we want to avoid too many pesticides and chemicals in our food, and that’s where it gets a bit more complex because not all pesticides and herbicides are the same, and they don’t all have the same impact on our bodies. It’s also hampered by the fact that we need a lot more research in this area. There are some helpful studies emerging, but we need more unbiased research into human health that is not funded by the large chemical producing corporations.

Obviously, as a lover of coconuts, we’re particularly interested in plant products, so we’ll predominantly focus on why organic matters in terms of the plants we eat.

In terms of whether organic fruits, vegetables and nuts are better for us, and looking at the top modern experts in this area, such as Professor Tim Spector (co-founder of ZOE and the guy probably most in-the-know thanks to his research), it comes down to looking at three core factors:

·        Nutrient levels

·        Potential pesticide residue

·        Possible impact on gut microbiome

These three factors overlap, but looking at each individually can help us gain good understanding.

Organic vs non-organic: nutrient levels

From new research we are beginning to understand that some organically produced plants may have higher levels of nutrients. They contain more antioxidants and different types of flavonoids. They contain around 30-40% more polyphenols. In short, you’re getting more nutrient dense food which is great in terms of your overall health. Hear more about Tim Spector’s research here.

There are different theories about why this is, but Tim Spector’s preferred hypothesis is that non-organic produce doesn’t have a tough time to grow because its environment is made easy for it. So it grows big and fast, but without having to work hard against attackers like bugs, meaning it doesn’t lay down the same nutrient profile by creating its own defences. As Professor Spector says, “All our food has been primed for growth and size and to look good. But when you look into the detail, you're getting actually less of the things that your body needs.”

So, if you want the possibility of eating more nutrient dense food, pick organic.

Organic vs non-organic: pesticide residue

Non-organic food may be sprayed herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. If this happens, it’s bound to leave residue and even seep into the body of the fruit or veg (especially in high water content items). Now, cut open an avocado and we discover that actually the pesticide residue hasn’t had an impact on the flesh, and you don’t eat the skin, so all is good (for us, but not the environment). But it’s not the same with many other plants. The quickest solution, is to ensure you wash fruit and veg thoroughly before eating and where possibly peel high water fruit.

The levels of pesticides used vary enormously from country to country and product to product. And even when it comes to checking if the pesticides are safe, the levels are determined based on what’s deemed safe for rats and mice, and only in relation to cancer risks. It’s also incredibly difficult to pinpoint cause and effect, as so many factors are at play when considering food from farm to fork.

Research is hugely lacking, but there are some early studies, which suggest that organic food consumption has a positive impact on lowering the risk of some cancers, like non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Organic vs non-organic: impact on gut microbiome

Fundamentally, the increased nutrient density and the reduced pesticide residue combine in the final factor we should look at when considering if organic food is better for you. It’s a two-pronged approach.

Nutrients, like antioxidants, give your gut microbiome diversity and therefore strength, potentially offering you the protective factors of a healthy microbiome. Conversely, the pesticide residues of non-organic food may have a negative impact on your microbiome. Prof. Spector’s research has shown that the pesticide residues in the food we eat may cause our gut microbiome to “produce kind of weird chemicals when they’re given organophosphates to eat’’. They respond differently and may possibly cause abnormalities in the gut many of which we don’t yet understand .

Given we’re still only just uncovering the real benefit of a healthy and diverse gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis, we are only just discovering the vital importance of ensuring we nourish it with the best foods possible.

So, do we need to go organic?

As said, more research needs to be done. But it’s already pointing towards the fact that we need to think carefully about the food we eat, and choose organic if possible. Organic isn’t always available, so wash fruit and veg thoroughly before eating.

Organic fresh food is often more expensive and harder to get hold of. But the good news is that you can choose organic packaged food (such as tinned or frozen) and get the same benefits of higher nutrients and lower pesticides. While there are still big issues to be addressed in organic farming such as higher production costs and reduced yields, The Soil Association is helping to pave the way forward and address our reliance on pesticides with moves towards more sustainable farming practices, which ultimately may be better for us and the environment. Read more on their work here.