Five Reasons Why Organic Matters
Nutrition-packed. Independent studies show that organic food has a higher content of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants — sometimes even up to 20 times more than non-organic food! For our body, this means that we get full easily because our body packs in more nutrition with less food.
The whole, organic ingredients like the guava and neem leaves generally have a wider array of healing compounds and additional benefits than their “natural extract” counterparts.
Health and Safety. Many pesticides approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were registered long before extensive research linked these to cancer and other diseases. Now, the EPA considers 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides, and 30% of insecticides as potentially cancer-causing. Consumer Organic food production also bans the use of artificial food additives such as hydrogenated fats which lead to trans fats, phosphoric acid, aspartame, and MSG linked to health problems as diverse as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines, and hyperactivity.
Environment. Organic farming works in harmony with nature. Crops and animals native to the land are encouraged and seasonality is respected. Humane treatments of animals allow them to live and die with more dignity. In addition, the elimination of synthetic chemicals reduces risk of contaminated water sources. Most importantly, farmers are not exposed to harmful chemicals.
Taste. Organic produce simply tastes better primarily because of its freshness. Since there are no preservatives, food is rushed from the farm to the market to your kitchen! Because animals in organic farms are stress-free, damaging acids do not build up in the meat rendering top-quality flavor and texture.
Economy. When you buy organic, you are helping small, family-based farms and firms and contributing to their local economy. In addition, if more people start choosing organic, economies of scale may also drive down prices without compromising quality and value.
Cosmetic ingredients to watch out for even in products that claim to be “natural.” Studies show that these ingredients, which prolonged use, may cause immune system toxicity, respiratory irritation, and cancer:
| INGREDIENTS | FOUND IN… |
| Sodium lauryl sulfate | Mass-produced toiletries |
| Paraben | Preservative in most toiletries |
| Formaldehyde | Shampoos, baby bath soap, nail polish, hair dyes |
| Coal tar and coal tar-based dyes like FD&C Dyes | Anti-itch cream, anti-dandruff shampoos, toothpastes |
| Petroleum by-products like liquid paraffin, mineral oil, and petroleum jelly | Lotions, moisturizers |
| Hydroquinone | Skin lighteners, facial moisturizers |
| DEET | Insect repellant |
| Artificial fragrances | Mass-produced toiletries and colognes |
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