05 Oct Organic Living and Its Benefits
The standard of living improved over the years and our eating habits changed drastically. We now like more polished foods that are tempting to see, good to smell, presentable, and tastier than what the natural ingredients in it are supposed to be. Taste enhancers, artificial colors, preservatives, edible decorators, and many more additives became part of our everyday food ingredients. And, did we ever stop with that? Definitely, no! We improvised on each aspect and wanted more, explored the length and breadth of possibilities where foods with better tastes can be found or available. Those made us eat away from home. Restaurants, fast food centers, and dhabas became our best sources of food rather than our own kitchens. And what followed were obesity, health degradations, diabetes, decreased heart health, and what not.
Traditional eating has become the story of the past though it has always been related to positive health outcomes and sustainability. However, the food ingredient that forms traditional eating has also changed a lot. What’s supposed to be organic is not at all organic these days. Tests and studies say that food product like vegetables, fruits, spices, cereals, meat, fish, and everything else are all treated with harmful fertilizers, poisonous pesticides, preservatives, and many other chemicals which keep evolving an improvising. What options does that leave for the consumers? Organic living is a way to get out of this dilemma which, by itself, is a new branch of food habits and eating methods.
What is organic living?
Organic living is switching to foods that are 100% free from pesticides, artificial fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, or genetic modification. Such type of living style also avoids food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives. And, even if these ingredients need to be included, organic food will have all these items derived from natural sources. Not only are organic foods grown without harmful chemicals, but are also more nutritious with all that nature has included in it, is in the purest form.
Today, many people from around the world are going organic though it’s a bit more expensive way of living. However, in the long run, organic living can save much considering the overall benefit it delivers to your health, well being of your family, and the natural preservation of our dear earth. Besides, organic living also delivers other valuable benefits like improved environment, peace of living, physical well being, and decreased disease rates.
Benefits of organic living
Avoid chemicals and hormones in food
Non-organic farms rely heavily on chemicals and other artificial fertilizers to boost up mass production of food. A concerning amount of such chemical gets into the food and ultimately into whoever consumes it. Such type of farming does not take into consideration healthy lifestyles, but about making a large profit, unlike in organic farming. Even animals grown in organic ecosystems eat food that doesn’t contain any chemicals or gets injected with hormones or other growth enhancing substances. Therefore, their byproducts will also be organic in nature.
Helps increase nutritious intake
Studies show that food grown organically is rich in nutrients, such as Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and other micronutrients than those foods produced out of large non-organic farms. It’s estimated that organic produce contains 50-60% higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants and higher quality protein than in non-organic fruits and vegetables. Besides, they contain lower levels of nitrates and heavy metal contamination as compared to conventional food produces.
Less exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues
Nitrates and nitrites might lead to stomach and colorectal cancers. They are being excessively used in processed meats and are known to form carcinogenic substances. When mixed with stomach acids, they form nitrosamines and nitrosamides which are known to be carcinogenic in humans. Pesticides residues in food on the other hand can cause short-term adverse health effects, called acute effects, and chronic adverse effects that can occur months or years after exposure. Avoiding such harmful chemicals by switching to organic foods can help you maintain better health.
Saves our environment
Organic methods of farming avoid the usage of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals that destroys our soil, groundwater, wildlife, and plant life. It significantly promotes soil fertility besides supporting a balanced growth of all types of plants in the ecosystem. Above all, organic farming does not kill the much useful microorganisms in the soil that are also critical to the growth of plants and enriching the soil. These worms additionally produce enzymes and also loosen the soil that allows better access to water and air.
Helps live a longer life
It does not take rocket science to understand that healthier lifestyle choices can lead to a longer life. Foods with harmful substances in it lead to illness and early death when compared to organic foods, and, that’s of course in the long run. Studies have shown that organic living has significantly extended life span in many.
Apart from these, there are many other important reasons to choose organic foods:
- Organic foods are hands down nutrient dense
- They are more flavorful
- Organic animal farming eliminate cruel and inhumane practices
- Supports your local farms and their survival
- Helps balance your immune system and thus reduces allergies
How to adapt organic living
You can adapt to organic living either by growing organic food or selectively buying organic food. The former method is a great way to adopt an organic lifestyle which anyone can start a yard and garden. In this method, you grow food items through techniques and systems that are found in nature and say goodbye to the world of harmful chemical pesticides. Today, there’s even a movement called the organic movement that emphasize on seeking to live a cleaner, healthier individual existence and in a more earth-friendly manner.
The other way is to buy organic-only food products that might be comparatively expensive, but much beneficial in the long run. Either way, you contribute to the overall well being of the world as well as human life.
A 100% switch to organic living is tough for many considering the fact that consumers have to pay higher prices besides having concerns regarding leaving behind their favorite foods. However, making wise choices while switching can make a significant difference to the amount of pesticides you and your family consume. For instance, specific fruits and vegetables contain much higher amounts of pesticide residue than others. Try to buy those fruits and vegetable that are organic. Buy organic for the worst offenders, and non-organic for those containing less pesticides. So, that might not bring big impacts to your food budgets. Here are some the best foods to go only-organic. Celery, peaches, strawberry, apples, cucumber, spinach, potatoes, sweet bell pepper, grapes, hot pepper, etc are some of them.
Also, check with your local farm or local farmers’ markets for organic produce. It might be cheaper than the ones in the retail outlets. While buying, make sure to buy from those who truly produce organic foods. Especially when buying eggs, buy them from pasture-raised chickens and only buy raw cheese and dairy products.
The bottom line
Once adapted, organic living offer amazing health benefits that you will experience in a short period of time. Be the early-birds to reap organic benefits and wait no longer. Start making changes for your own benefits as well as for the well being of the entire world. No matter how small they are, but your contributions can add to the big movement that’s increasingly gaining momentum these days. Such lifestyles will surely help you stay healthy and happy besides saving the environment.