Organic Food in India

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A R E O R G A N I C F O O D S R I G H T F O R Y O
U ?
It is no secret that organic foods are all the
rage now their popularity has been growing
through the years. With the overload of
information available online and on the food
labels, it can be quite challenging to navigate
the vast maze of organic foods, their supposed
benefits and their value proposition. All in all,
you seek a n answer to the simple question are
organic foods right for me?
To answer the question, we need to know what
organic foods really are. Are they same as
natural foods? Are they really beneficial?
Ok, so what are organic foods? Essentially,
organic pertains to the way agricultural produce
and products are grown and processed. To be
classified as organic, crops must be grown in
safe and natural soil, must have no
modifications genetic or otherwise and must
be separated from conventional produce and
products. Organic crops are not exposed to
synthetic pesticides, GMOs and fertilizers that
are petroleum -based or sewage sludge-based.
Organic farming practices include the usage of
natural fertilizers such as compost and manure
to feed soil and plants. Crop ro tation,
mulching and tilling are used to control weeds,
while insects are controlled using natural
methods such as traps and birds.
Similarly, organic livestock must be raised on a
diet of organic feed and must have adequate
access to the outdoors they should not be
administered growth hormones, antibiotics, or any
animal-by-products.
Are organic foods and natural foods the
same? Natural foods are not the same as organic
foods, although it is quite common for people to
use the terms interchangeably. Foods that are
natural are those that do not contain artificial
colours and flavours, artificial preservatives,
GMOs and irradiated ingredients. Therefore, all
organic foods are natural, but not the other way
around.
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How do organic foods benefit me? Organic foods
are associated with a variety of benefits due
to the absence of
chemicals and artificial treatments, they spare
the ecosystem the damage, and are strongly
believed to deliver great benefits to your health.
1. Organic foods are safer to consume Since
organic foods are pesticide and chemical free,
there are no harmful residues that are left on
the foods, making them several times safer than
conventionally grown foods that employ
fungicides, insecticides and h erbicides. This
translates to lesser bouts of food-borne diseases.
2. Organic foods are healthier for you Organic
foods are a richer source of antioxidants as
compared to conventionally grown foods. Studies
have indicated that organic fruits and vegetables
contain 27 more Vitamin C, 21.1 more Iron,
29.3 more Magnesium, 13.6 more Phosphorus, and
18 more Polyphenols while organic meats are less
fatty. They have also noted that dairy products
from organically raised livestock are healthier
than conventionally produced dairy products
specifically, the content of Omega-3 fatty acids
and antioxidants were significantly higher in
organically produced milk.
3. They are often fresher Organic foods are
typically fresher as they are not preserved using
chemical preservatives or agents. Hence these
foods have shorter shelf life than the ones that
are conventionally grown. This leads to quicker
and more regular replenishment of fresher stock
for consumption. Fresh food tastes better than
the one that has been frozen, stored and shipped
across long distances.
4. Organic farming is greener Besides delivering
health benefits, organic farming is better for
the environment. These farming practices work to
reduce air pollution, conserve water, reduce soil
erosion and increase soil fertility, and consume
lesser energy.
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So, are organic foods right for me? If you seek
healthier and safer alternatives to
conventionally grown foods, then YES, organic
foods are the right choice for you. Apart from
their greater nutritional content, you also
support local communities and protect the
environment.