Why Choosing Organic Is Good For You In More Ways Than One
The crunchy granola vibe is gone – today, organic options are available everywhere. And if you’re not on board, experts say switching just one or two items will make a difference to your wellbeing and our beautiful planet
The argument for a more organic life is compelling, yet bears repeating for those yet to make the leap. Up to 80 per cent of food is sprayed with herbicides and pesticides, and contains hormones and antibiotics. “The World Health Organisation is telling us these chemicals live in our body,” says Dr John Tickell, who studies health and longevity around the world, and is a Saba Organics ambassador.
“They don’t just leave after 30 minutes. They build up and get stored in our fatty tissue – a process called bioaccumulation. ”The only way we can know what is in our food, he says, is to buy certified organic produce – which in turn also helps the planet by reducing pollution and soil erosion, conserving water and creating more biodiversity.
Replace some of your grocery or personal care items with organic alternatives. “People think they need to be in or out,” says Australian Organic Limited’s CEO, Niki Ford. “Just start with one or two things you regularly buy, and go from there.”
The good news is that you’ll get more nutrients into your body without entirely changing your habits. Studies have shown that organic fruits and vegetables are richer in nutrients than conventional produce. One study from England’s Newcastle University found that organic produce has up to 40 per cent higher levels of vitamin C, zinc, iron and other key nutrients, while scientists from the University of Florida found that organically grown produce has a concentration of cancer-fighting phytonutrients up to 25 per cent higher than its conventional counterparts.
‘Greenwashing’ has always been a problem with organic produce. “Right now, companies can use the word organic in their brand names and on the labels, even if they have little to no organic ingredients in them,” says Niki. In Australia, the certification that experts trust is the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) bud, which means a product is free from human-made fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators and GMOs.
“This takes years to get after going through an extensive audit, so when you see it, you can trust that a product is entirely organic,” says Dr Tickell.
“The biggest organ in the human body is our skin, and it not only acts as a protector, but also a sponge,” says Dr Tickell. The beauty industry can be hard to navigate when you only want to put natural products on your skin. ‘Clean beauty’ brands are usually formulated without ingredients linked to harmful health effects, such as parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances.
But if you want something entirely organic, look for ACO accreditation or small batch-makers who make simple formulas with recognisable ingredients.
Few of us have the time or budget to maintain 100 per cent organic and local diets. The message is: don’t sweat it. “There will always be choices, but if you are safer on a day-to-day basis, your chances of living a longer and healthier life are greater,” says Dr Tickell. “As a brain cancer survivor, I have learnt that every bit of goodness tips the odds of a long, healthy life in your favour."
Text: bauersyndication.com.au