What organic means, and if it’s actually better for you

We’re told we should be buying organic – but why? It’s time to cut the marketing fluff and get down to the facts.

The word ‘organic’ entered the culinary vocabulary in the late 1980s. Since its humble beginnings as a niche way to farm, it’s exploded into a global revolution. Now everyone from Hollywood to Bollywood is boasting the benefits of ‘going organic’.

If you’re a health-conscious Aussie who likes their produce fresh and nutritious, you’re probably already frequenting your local organic grocer. But is eating organic really better for you?

In Australia, certified products labelled as organic are regulated by private bodies that base their guidelines on the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce, as set out by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. According to these standards, organic operators are mostly concerned with environmental factors like minimising pollution, using renewable resources and treating animals well. Which is great, of course, but the question is whether this has an impact on your health.

There’s been plenty of debate over the last 20 years around whether organic produce is actually healthier for you. We asked Katherine Baqleh, an accredited practising dietitian and owner of Health Victory Nutrition Experts, to share her thoughts.

Katherine says, ‘Several studies have compared the nutritional content of organic and conventionally-grown plants, and most have shown no significant difference in key vitamins and minerals.’

But that’s not to say there aren’t benefits. Katherine says while the difference may be marginal, organic foods tend to have ‘higher Vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium’ and lower levels of nitrate, which means ‘improved immunity’ for people who eat them.

Of course, a slightly higher nutrient level is only half the story. For many organic converts, the most concerning aspect of non-organic food is the possibility of ingesting trace chemicals with their mushroom ragout.

Pesticides have been linked to all kinds of ailments like headaches, tremors, fatigue, dermatitis, nausea and indigestion; as well as major illnesses like depression, breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

The good news is most cases of pesticide-related illnesses have occurred overseas. In Australia, we have strict regulations to ensure the food we eat is safe. The body that regulates this is called Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) and they work hard to keep public health risks at a low level.

Of course ‘low level’ isn’t zero, so washing your fruits and vegetables is still a good idea. Katherine says, ‘Fruits and vegetables with a thinner skin will retain more chemicals than skinned products such as bananas. However, a good rinse of the vegetables under the tap can help to remove a significant amount of the pesticide residues.’

Should you be eating organic? Katherine says, ‘If you can afford organically-certified produce, choose it.’ There are possible health benefits, so why not do yourself the favour? But it’s not the be-all-and-end-all of good health. Katherine also suggests shopping at your local butcher or farmer’s market. She says, ‘Although it might not be organic, the fact that it is fresher and goes from “paddock to plate” quicker means it’s healthier.’

If you’re buying organic produce you’re going to pay a premium, therefore it’s important to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. While organic certification is a rigorous process, self-regulated producers can still include the word ‘organic’ in their product name without jumping through the hoops. As Katherine warns, ‘the term “organic” is not regulated in Australia,’ so it can turn up on all kinds of products. To ensure what you’re buying has the proper certification, look for these seven logos:

Alix Palmer is a writer and communications researcher. She likes cycling, swimming and cooking with greens. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.