Controversy arose earlier this year when Stanford University published a study which suggested that organic fruits and vegetables may not be as healthful as touted by the pro-organic community. Unfortunately, this received quite a bit of superficial publicity from the mainstream press. However, this is an extremely important topic, and it's worth taking a deeper look into the reasons why we need to go organic: for our families, our communities, and our global environment. Here are six BIG reasons to go organic:
1. Toxicity to the Earth and water - Chemical fertilizers and pesticides harm our environment. These chemicals are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and neurological impairment. Bees, which we rely on in nature to pollinate crops and produce food, are becoming endangered possibly due to the widespread use of pesticides. (Bees travel from field to field and are unable to determine which crops are organic and which are "conventional.")
2. Cruelty to animals - "Conventional" practices of raising animals for food involve not only feeding the animal food that is laden with pesticides and herbicides, but also hormones, antibiotics, and even arsenic. Animals are often maimed, tortured, and found wallowing in and ingesting feces.
3. Toxicity to our bodies - The chemicals that we use in our food supply, our households, and in our communities are toxic to our bodies. The human body is an amazing and miraculous collection of systems and functions that work endlessly to keep us well. Over time, with continued bombardment of poisonous compounds, these systems start to fail. Risk of cancer, autoimmune disease, and neurological disorders increases with every exposure - every year, every day, every meal, every bite. Yes, every bite counts because it not only presents our bodies with pollutants that must be overcome, but it also contributes to and supports the "mainstream conventional culture."
4. Expense - Yes expense. Organics do tend to cost a bit more. How can this be a reason to "go organic?" Companies and businesses that promote "conventional" food, cleaning supplies, pesticides, and fertilizer make their profits betting that people like you and me are more interested in saving money than saving ourselves and the environment. As businesses begin to realize that producing an organic product is what the consumer demands, more and more green companies will emerge and more "conventional" companies will see the wisdom in going green. When this happens, with the power of competition, prices will go down.
5. Tastes Better - In studies that compared the taste of organic to "conventional" food, including fruit, vegetables, meat, and poultry, people consistently preferred the taste of organic food to "conventional" food.
6. Karma - Whether you believe in karma or not, the fact is that when you choose organic food and products, you are doing good things for you, your family, and the planet. The result is a more vibrant, healthful world - both inside the body and out.
Start now. If you are not currently choosing organic or green products, take a look around your home and in your kitchen to see where you can start. Perhaps you will begin by selecting one or two products that will make the greatest impact on you and your family. Once you begin to go green, you will find yourself becoming more mindful about the choices you make. Go organic - feel good.
Also re-published on BeliefNet.com and DrLaura.com.