Organic Might Not Be More Nutritious - but Would You Buy it Anyway?

HealthyWomen

by Sheryl Kraft

Some think organic is synonymous with health...but to others, it's a waste of money.

Do you think that organic means healthier? A lot of us do. According to a Nielsen study cited by USA Today, 51 percent of people surveyed said they bought organic food because they believed it to be more nutritious. Other words associated with organic: cleaner, germ-free, safer, natural, tastier, healthier.

After analyzing data from more than 200 studies comparing organic to conventional products, researchers at Stanford University concluded that organic foods don't have more vitamins or minerals; therefore, they're not more nutritious.

MORE: 10 Sneaky Ways to Get More Fruit and Veggies Into Your Diet

Yet the growth of the organic food industry can't be disputed. It's grown from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $31.4 billion last year. There must be good reasons, no?

Reasons to go organic are not necessarily just for the nutritional value, says registered dietitian Samantha Heller, who recently spoke to Gayle King on CBS This Morning. The organic movement actually began as a way to help the environment and the farmers and also to promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. Consider the farmers and their continuous exposure to dangerous herbicides and pesticides; the health hazards of the use of antibiotics in animals, creating drug-resistant "superbugs" that can make antibiotics virtually ineffective; and the lack of regulation in conventional farming.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in May 2012, declared pesticide residues on fresh produce and other foods to be below the tolerance levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency. But, Heller points out, another group is not convinced, and that's the Environmental Working Group - and it has its "dirty dozen" list to demonstrate its doubts.

MORE: A Fresh Look at Organic Produce

Still confused? Here are some more facts to help you weigh your choices:

Many farmers are not certified organic, but practice sustainable and low-or-no-pesticide farming. Shopping at local farmers markets when possible gives you the opportunity to chat with the growers and ask important questions about their growing practices.

Organic regulations ban or severely restrict the use of food additives, processing aids (substances used during processing, but not added directly to food) and fortifying agents commonly used in nonorganic foods, including preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colorings, flavorings and monosodium glutamate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Just because a food is labeled "organic" does not make it healthy. For instance, an organic cookie is still...a cookie.

Organic foods are generally more expensive than conventional. If you can't afford the higher prices or organic is not available, fresh healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes are all fantastically good for you - even if they're conventionally grown, Heller says.

Organic produce is much less likely to retain traces of pesticides; in fact a few studies showed children who ate organic produce had fewer traces of pesticides in their urine. All fruits and vegetables, even organic ones, should be washed before eating.

MORE: Clean Your Fruit and Veggies

Organic or conventional? The point might not only be about nutrition.