Extraordinary Health Magazine Extraordinary Health Vol 22 | Page 33

CONVENTIONAL

RISKY

ORGANIC

ANTIOXIDANTS

HEALTHY

Organic (not Conventional) Wins Again
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition says organic crops have higher levels of antioxidants and
up to 4X fewer pesticide residues than conventional crops, making organic a more nutritious and safer option.
Is organic better for you nutritionally?
Yes! And there’s proof.
A meta-analysis based on 342 peerreviewed publications on nutritional quality
and safety in organic and conventional
plant-based foods concluded that’s the
case. Findings were recently published in
the British Journal of Nutrition, one of the
world’s most-respected nutrition journals.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS:
Compared to conventional crops,
organic offers significantly higher levels
of antioxidants—between 19 and 69
percent higher.
But why are antioxidants important?
Antioxidants fight off free radicals and are
associated with decreases in some major
health risks, including those associated
with cardiovascular, neurological and
cellular unhealth. Also, eating organic plants
vs. conventional plants can result in a 20
to 40 percent increase in antioxidant intake.

Interestingly, antioxidant reduction
in conventional plants is most likely
due in part to the “dilution effect”.
Here’s what happens: more intensive
fertilization and/or irrigation are needed
to increase conventiona