Navigating the organic foods maze

Walk into any grocery store or through one of the many local farmers’ markets, and you’ll find these terms displayed about freely. And while many believe that organic foods taste better, what does organic really mean and are organic foods really that much healthier for you? Today, organic foods and products cross a multitude of racial and economic lines, making it the fastest growing category of all foods and sales projected to nearly double by 2009, While organic foods are undoubtedly more expensive, often costing 25 to 50 percent more than nonorganic foods, there are arguments on both sides regarding the true nutritional value.

Some recent studies show that eating organic foods may limit one’s exposure to chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, immune system suppression, nervous system disorders, reproductive damage and hormone disruption. An Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental research firm based in the United States studied 46 popular fresh fruits and vegetables and found 192 different pesticides on the produce.

They believe that those who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables (see sidebar) may be exposed to approximately 20 pesticides a day on average, while eating the 12 least contaminated may expose those to only about two pesticides a day. Using this guideline, they claim, “can reduce the number of pesticides in produce a person eats by up to 90 percent.” But what about washing and peeling? The group says that while “washing and rinsing fresh produce may help reduce pesticide residues, it does not eliminate them.” In fact, a recent study funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that children who switched to eating organic foods had “dramatic and immediate” reduced exposure to pesticides that were used on the crops.

The nutrient content of organic foods is virtually identical to that of traditional foods. Organic harvesting doesn’t increase the amount of healthy nutrients so the concentration is largely unaffected by whether it is organic. Pesticides are not thought to be the cause of all the cancers we have now. It’s a difficult issue because everyone wants to eat healthy, but the widespread fears over pesticides and herbicides are really exaggerated and at most, they pose a very small risk. But while many buy organic foods because they do believe they’re eating healthier, it doesn’t necessarily mean low fat. “As in all things in life, moderation is the key,” said Karen Brewton, a clinical dietitian specialist with Methodist Wellness Services. “You would not want to eat half a jar of organic peanut butter or 10 organic apples because these are ‘healthy.’” In the end, more limited control of pesticides is best, but so too is better control of one’s self, and people should not be dissuaded from eating fruits and vegetables.

For more information regarding this article or to talk with an patient representative please use the following contact information:

Methodist International Services
6560 Fannin ST 220
Houston, Texas 77030
Telephone: (713) 441-2340
Fax: (713) 793-7097
Email: methodistinternational@tmh.tmc.edu