Organic Foods: May 2008 Archives
Forty New Studies Published in Last Six Years Provide a Firm
Foundation for Some Clear-cut Answers: Yes, Organic Plant-Based Foods
ARE More Nutritious, and Provide on Average a 25% Nutrition Premium
BOULDER, Colo. - March 18, 2008 - A comprehensive review of 97 published studies comparing the nutritional quality of organic and conventional foods shows that organic plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, grains) contain higher levels of eight of 11 nutrients studied, including significantly greater concentrations of the health-promoting polyphenols and antioxidants.
In this first comprehensive review of the scientific literature comparing nutrient levels in organic and conventional food completed since 2003, a team of scientists conclude that organically grown plant-based foods are 25% more nutrient dense, on average, and hence deliver more essential nutrients per serving or calorie consumed.
Nutrient levels were studied in 236 matched pairs of foods with scientifically valid results on the levels of 10 nutrients, plus nitrates (high levels are undesirable because of food safety risks). Each matched pair contains, for example, an apple crop grown organically and another apple crop from a nearby conventional farm with similar soils, climate, plant genetics, irrigation systems, nitrogen levels, and harvest practices.
The new report is published as a "State of Science Review" by The Organic Center and is entitled "New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-based Organic Foods." The co-authors are Charles Benbrook, the Center's Chief Scientist, Xin Zhao of the University of Florida, and three Washington State University (WSU) scientists Jaime Yanez, Neal Davies, and Preston Andrews. Dr. Andrew Weil, a Center board member, wrote the "Foreword."
The full report and its executive summary are freely accessible on the Center's website (http://www.organic-center.org/science.nutri.php?action=view&report_id=126).
BOULDER, Colo. - March 18, 2008 - A comprehensive review of 97 published studies comparing the nutritional quality of organic and conventional foods shows that organic plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, grains) contain higher levels of eight of 11 nutrients studied, including significantly greater concentrations of the health-promoting polyphenols and antioxidants.
In this first comprehensive review of the scientific literature comparing nutrient levels in organic and conventional food completed since 2003, a team of scientists conclude that organically grown plant-based foods are 25% more nutrient dense, on average, and hence deliver more essential nutrients per serving or calorie consumed.
Nutrient levels were studied in 236 matched pairs of foods with scientifically valid results on the levels of 10 nutrients, plus nitrates (high levels are undesirable because of food safety risks). Each matched pair contains, for example, an apple crop grown organically and another apple crop from a nearby conventional farm with similar soils, climate, plant genetics, irrigation systems, nitrogen levels, and harvest practices.
The new report is published as a "State of Science Review" by The Organic Center and is entitled "New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-based Organic Foods." The co-authors are Charles Benbrook, the Center's Chief Scientist, Xin Zhao of the University of Florida, and three Washington State University (WSU) scientists Jaime Yanez, Neal Davies, and Preston Andrews. Dr. Andrew Weil, a Center board member, wrote the "Foreword."
The full report and its executive summary are freely accessible on the Center's website (http://www.organic-center.org/science.nutri.php?action=view&report_id=126).
Safeway announced in May 2008 that it will market through its Lucerne Foods division the O Organics and Eating Right brands across all retail channels and in food service and international markets.
O Organics, initially developed by Safeway, is one of the leading organic brands in the country.
O Organics, initially developed by Safeway, is one of the leading organic brands in the country.
My family buys a weekly box of organic fruit and vegetables from a local organic delivery service. This small business is run locally, and buys its produce from local suppliers when possible...and from local organic wholesalers who supplement their stock with both regional and international organic produce.
I've noticed that some of the pieces of fruit and veggie are seconds -- in that their size, shape and color aren't premium, uniform and spit polished :-) ... but they are invariable delicious, well seasoned (as in not too green nor too ripe)...and the price is better than I can get in the grocery store.
And I save the shopping time and gasoline in my car to go buy them myself.
We've saved money by not having to go shopping as often, and the quality of our meals has improved because I just didn't have organic selection available at our nearby grocery stores.
You might try it...search Google or Yahoo, etc. for +organic +delivery and your city.
You might be lucky enough to find a CSA -- a community supported agriculture supplier in your community. That's even better in the areas of freshness and local farmer support! But I live in the heart of Los Angeles, and the closest CSA is probably close to 100 miles of urban sprawl away from us!
Bon appetit!
I've noticed that some of the pieces of fruit and veggie are seconds -- in that their size, shape and color aren't premium, uniform and spit polished :-) ... but they are invariable delicious, well seasoned (as in not too green nor too ripe)...and the price is better than I can get in the grocery store.
And I save the shopping time and gasoline in my car to go buy them myself.
We've saved money by not having to go shopping as often, and the quality of our meals has improved because I just didn't have organic selection available at our nearby grocery stores.
You might try it...search Google or Yahoo, etc. for +organic +delivery and your city.
You might be lucky enough to find a CSA -- a community supported agriculture supplier in your community. That's even better in the areas of freshness and local farmer support! But I live in the heart of Los Angeles, and the closest CSA is probably close to 100 miles of urban sprawl away from us!
Bon appetit!
