Why Eat Organic Food?

The debate about organic food is quite contested from the American Public to Wall Street. Some believe organic food producers and retailers are selling 'yuppie lifestyle' or 'hippie values' while others believe organic food to be a wise and simple choice in life. The contrast is stark and frankly amazing.

The benefits of organic foods are several as organic food tastes better, often does not contain potentially harmful preservatives, has better texture and can aid in boosting health and longevity. The same foods many people love can be bought organic as well. Beef, chicken, vegetables, potato chips, cola, coffee, cheese, milk etc. are all everyday items that are considered staple food items so why would some say they don't like organic food when in definition the only thing different about it are that it tastes better and is better for you.

Due to the nature of economy, an existing production and distribution system for non-organic products exists. Sometimes this can increase the cost of organic products. Some people simply don't want the trade off which is their choice. But for those who already appreciate the benefits of organic, the choice is clear. What's more, if you have a backyard, organic products can be grown in it if it is pesticide and chemical free. For the things you can't grow in your own backyard, there are retailers who specialize in this very thing. So if cost is an issue for you, grow some and buy the rest.

Still more benefits of organic are security in what you're eating. Sometimes contaminants can be inadvertently exposed to the food supply; one example being imported wheat product being tainted with an industrial byproduct called melamine in 2007. If one buys local vegetables from an organic farmer or certified organic sources, one can have more security in knowing what one is eating is less likely to contain industrial toxins.

The belief that one's health can be improved through consumption of organic foods is well founded. This does not mean that one can overeat organic food, because it is not a cure for weight loss. Organic foods can assist in cellular nutrition simply by being rid of unneeded chemicals and residues. This in turn makes the cell's job easier by allowing it to rid the body of less toxin and benefit more from the nutrition it needs. Over a long time, non-organic toxins can build up and slowly damage the body's cells. The free radicals in organic food fight off these toxins preventing cellular decay and pre-mature aging.

Opposition to organic food also includes the idea that many people who have not eaten organic for much of their lives are still living happy, healthy lives. While this is true, it is not a guarantee every individual possesses some genetic trait that partially immunizes them from the negative effects of pesticide resides and the like. To not eat organic is a long term gamble and although life may involve many gambles, to eat organic is one less such gamble.