What are the advantages of cooking/using organic

Deals_2

flour? are there any studies showing what non organic flour does to the body and any other studies on other foodstuffs too. i am more aware for fruit and veg but not so much for the other stuff. thanks in advance.

ceridwen

You might be interested to read:

http://lookwayup.com/free/organic.htm

conradmum

Unfortunately there are no studies (that I've heard of) that measure the effect of an organic versus a non-organic diet. It would be quite hard to do as a lot of time would be needed to judge any effects (dietary studies tend to be done over decades!) and very few people eat organic and nothing else.

However, there has been a study done that the gene expression in organically grown wheat is very different from non-organic:

http://www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/content/1cbh73v99vw300xv/fulltext.html

There has also been a study on the effects of the 'cocktail' of pesticides we are exposed to. This is something that has long been called for to counter the claims about safety limits made by chemical companies which apply to only one chemical at a time, and don't address the effect these chemicals have when combined with others. Unfortunately I can only direct you to the beginning of the article:

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg19526190.700-toxic-cocktail.html

Finally, there was quite a good study done in America about levels of anti-oxidants in organic versus non-organic peppers:

http://mitchell.ucdavis.edu/OSA2006_Mitchell2.pdf

The jury is very much still out on the effects of organic growing on vegetables, fruit and meat and it's impossible to make generalisations. However, many people choose to buy organic not just for the benefits to their health, but also for the benefits to the environment and in animal welfare.
Of course, the moneysaving (and healthiest option, because you're getting exercise in the fresh air) is to grow your own! :j

ceridwen

also found:

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32375

Perhaps the ultimate test is to try eating as organically as supplies in shops, etc, locally will allow of for a couple of months or so and see how your health is/how your looks are affected and what your mental state is. Judge from that - I did - and can see the benefits in all three directions.

And - of course - one is helping the environment eating that way. But - like most people - I wanted to have the healthiest body I can - so thats the main reason.