Home > Health > Nutrition > Myths & Facts > Organic Food

Many people believe that organic food is better for us than non-organic options, is this true or false?

THIS IS FALSE

Organic food is not necessarily better for you. Organic food has basically the same nutritional value as non-organic food (It's better in some aspects and not better in other aspects compared to regular foods). Yes, it is true that less pesticides are used in producing organic food, however the effect on our bodies of these pesticides, if they do get onto our system, is unknown.

You should be washing your fruit and vegetables anyway, which should get rid of any remaining pesticides. Unfortunately, many people who believe this myth end up spending more money to buy 'organic' for little benefit. You are better off spending your money to get the freshest food, grown locally, whether it is organic or not.

---

---

Related Pages

• Article: are organic foods healthier for you?
• More Health and Nutrition Myths
• Fitness and Weight Loss Myth

Old Comments

• Guest (2014)
  When one grows crop, one should provide that all trace minerals are supplied to the soil so that the crop is not depleted of trace minerals. Organic food will possibly contain more of those valuable trace minerals.
• Guest (2016)
  You should try reading Silent Spring. It will show you the other affects that chemicals have through ecosystems and ultimately us.
• Karen (2014)
  I agree that washing the food item will make it free from any pesticides but I will still prefer organic food items. The advantage of organic food not only lies in health but in environment too. Using chemical pesticides we are harming our soil too. So, not just for sake of our health but for sake of our environment we can at least opt organic food.
• Definitely true. Organic food is no better than other foods, just a marketing tip. Nothing in it, thanks. (from Qwerty1, Nov 2011)
• Check your facts and do your research!  I was astounded that you said that organic food is NOT better for you than conventional produce and the downside is that its more expensive.  Research shows that there is no connection between pesticide use and health because the research is funded by multi-billion dollar companies with a vested interest in marketing and selling their pesticides, such as Monsanto. Pesticides are inorganic and we do not produce the enzymes to eliminate them from our bodies, therefore they are stored in the fatty tissues in our bodies and brains which undoubtedly leads to degenerative disease. Do some research, you'll find that this is true.  Yes, our livers can deal with some pesticides, but with all the other toxins we are bombarded with -- pollution, chemicals in the air, the water we drink, additives and preservatives in packaged foods -- and I think that you are doing people a dis-service by dismissing the benefits on human health by eating organic foods. Its one way that people can control the toxic load of their bodies. (from Bozena Hucal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, April 2011).
  • I have done my research, that is why I have made those statements. I understand that there are many people with the same views as yours, however there is plenty of scientific evidence that organic food is not any better for you, and at my local shop and I assume many others organic food is more expensive. (Clare, APD)