The earth doesn’t have to cost good food
But what does organic mean on the ground? In essence, it is about a certain series of standards that work more with nature than against it. This does not include synthetic chemical pesticides or herbicides (Weedkillers), unless it is expressly approved, no genetically modified organisms (GMO) and high animal welfare standards with strict rules for the use of antibiotic, feed and living conditions. Organic agriculture uses practices that build up soil health, such as: B. the plant rotation that supports nature. Convenience Foods have to fulfill other strict standards for what goes in and what is left out. This means no artificial colors or preservatives and less ultra-processed ingredients. The soil association is the best -known organic certifier of the UK and often sets higher standards than the legal minimum. It works together with organic farmers and birds (from & g), which certifies over half of the British organic country in Great Britain.
The case for organic food
It is a child’s play from the perspective of planetary health; Chemical fertilizers and pesticides exhaust our soils and influence biological diversity. Think: Fewer bees and birds and the loss of millions of microbes that cause the ground to thrive. These chemicals also run on waterways and disturb nature. In the past 60 years, research has shown a steady decline in the nutritional quality of our fruit, vegetable and food plants. This was associated with chemical agriculture, soil deterioration, increasing CO₂ mirror and the cultivation of harvesting types with a high drawing that prioritize the speed before nutrition. Animal welfare is another strong argument. Much of our meat and dairy products come from animals that are quickly raised in narrow rooms with the help of antibiotics and growth amplifiers.
Organic agriculture gives animals space, better diets and a slower, more natural life. For example, organic milk cows have to eat a diet that makes up at least 60 percent feed – grasses and wild plants, not just processed feed. Since Clover is usually used to enrich bio-floor in a natural way, it ends up in the diet of the cows and increases the omega-3 content of your milk and meat. Studies show that organic milk and meat contain about 50 percent more advantageous omega-3 fatty acids than their conventional counterparts. There are also the not so small matter of pesticides. When our fruit and vegetables are sprayed with chemical cocktails, these products remain in us on the products we eat. While it is difficult to quantify how much we can endure, some groups – especially babies, small children and adolescents – are probably more susceptible if their body still develops.
Nick Mole from the Pesticide Action Network UK explains: “There is far too little known about how several pestic residues interact with each other and what possible health effects.” Many are endocrine disruptors, chemicals that can affect our hormones even with very low doses. Estonishing examinations also show that pesticides can disturb our intestinal microbioma – the community of microbes, digestion, immunity and general health. A reduced variety in the intestine was associated with inflammation and a number of chronic problems. While science is still unfolding, it offers another reason to step carefully.
The gray area
The general health advantages of the organic drink are less clear. Like Shefalee Loth, nutritionist with which?
Instead, most of the research is observed and follow what people say that they eat over time. While there are hundreds of observation studies that deal with the health advantages of organic food, she emphasizes that these results are not as conclusive. After all, our health depends on many things, not only on what we eat, but how much we move, how well we sleep, our stress level and our income.
Shefalee notes that many intestinal health studies have been carried out in laboratories and mice or rats, and we cannot safely say that the same effects can be seen in humans. She adds: “It is advantageous to eat, and fermented foods can also have a positive effect. Medicines and artificial sweeteners can negatively influence the variety of their intestinal microbioma, since their surroundings, lifestyle, alcohol and smokers have more likely to have an effect, whether they go with organic food or not to organic food.”
There is a lack of financing in research. Less than one percent of all British agricultural research goes to organic systems. The Soil Association works with the British Ecological Society on a meta -analysis in order to better understand the effects of ecological agriculture both environmentally representative and human health.
Then there is the question of costs. Organic agriculture often includes more practical work, from weeds without chemicals to animals with space, time and care. An organic chicken, for example, lives twice as long as a conventional one and eats twice as much food. Smaller scale effects, certification fees and stained supply chains add up.
Supermarket prices can also make conventional food appear cheaper than it really is. Still, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Cooperatives such as Manchester’s unicorn food business have shown that organic products can match or even beat conventional products when pricing is transparent.
While the certification gives buyers trust, this is not always practical for smaller food manufacturers. “The bar can be really high,” says Nick Jefferson from Online Farmer’s Market Wylde. “If you sell yourself to wholesalers or supermarkets, the return often does not justify the effort.” Wylde determines his own studies on how suppliers work and often set them up.
As Shefalee says: “Buying organic buying is a personal choice.” While it may not be possible for everyone, more people prioritize it. With the support of the government like Scotland’s organic action plan and more of us, buying organic buying organically, the hope that the costs will fall and access will increase. Every time we choose organic, we vote with our wallets for better agriculture, fairer systems and food that people appreciate as well as the planet. It is not possible for everyone to go organically, but there are small, intelligent decisions that make a difference.
Smart ways to get organic
Choose cheaper cuts to organic meat
Use a slow cooker or pressure cooker to tender the meat and maximize your taste in the cheapest way.
Take a look at our Recipes of the cooker And Fast cooking recipes as inspiration.
Take a look at the freezer
The area of the frozen fruit and vegetable variety with organic table is increasing.
Feet your feet with household approaches such as beans, legumes and grains
Although they are more expensive than their conventional cousins, they are still affordable and easily available.
Exchange your spices
A small change makes a big difference in taste and supports farmers overseas who are exposed to a high level of agricultural chemicals.
Do you know the worst offenders
Check the annual dirty dozen list of fruit and vegetables in Pan UK with the highest pesticides. Oats and citrus fruits are regular criminals.
Try it with a double soaking
New studies show that soaking of smooth-skinned fruits such as apples, pears or grapes in a 2 percent cornflour solution can remove a five percent bicarbonate soda solution for more than 90 percent of some pestic residues. However, there will be no pesticides that are included in the meat.
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Mallika is a grocery author and cookbook author. She writes a price -nominated newsletter that is in good taste on food, people and the planet with the name called the taste, and is a qualified expert in sustainability. @mallikabasu_
