insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 07 - September 2015 | Page 58

HEALTH+WELLNESS

The Benefits of Organic
Organic is everywhere these days, from farmers’ markets to the supermarket; but
although it may seem like it, organic is not a new concept. BY LISAMARIE LAMB
While it may feel as though organic food, clothing,
and other products have only been around for a
few years, it’s not a new thing by any means. In
fact, before WWII, every crop that was grown
and harvested in the UK was organic, since no
chemicals were used at all. However, the war left
many a scar, and the farming industry was called
upon to produce more and more food for the
war effort, and for afterwards when the country
needed to get back on its feet. The easiest and
most effective way to do that was to start using
chemicals and pesticides to increase harvests
and save as much of the crop as possible from
rodents and insects.
Food might be the first thing that comes to mind
when you hear the word ‘organic’, but pretty
much everything can be made from organic
materials, at least in part. Clothing, furniture,
paper, cosmetics, flowers and much more can
be made from organic fibres, and therefore
certified 'organic'. And the benefits are plentiful.

Some people benefit far more from eating and
drinking organic produce than others, including
pregnant women (and their babies), and young
children. This is because studies have shown
that pesticides – even at low levels – can seriously
harm these groups, and could possibly lead to
lower IQs (but studies are on-going regarding
this). But even if you aren’t in one of the groups
mentioned, organic products are still beneficial.
A recent study funded by the European Union
found that organic fruit and veg had up to 50%
more antioxidants in it than non-organic food.
Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals
that prevent or slow cell damage (which can
include ageing). Organic food was also found to
contain more healthy minerals such as iron and
zinc. As well as all that, organic food is also said
to be great at fighting cancer, although these
studies still need to be verified. Food without
chemicals won’t make you feel as sluggish or
uncomfortable as food that contains them, giving
you more energy and the ability to get a little
more out of your day.

58

A bonus of all these great health giving and
maintaining properties is that organic food tastes
better too, so anyone who might normally shy
away from fruit and vegetables may well enjoy
the taste more when it’s organic – which means
their diet will improve dramatically.
Meat and poultry can be organic too; the animals
are raised using no chemicals or additives in their
diet, giving quality, organic meat. That’s not to
say that you can eat more of it, or that it’s less
prone to give you high cholesterol, harden your
arteries, or any of the other bad news ailments
that too much meat can give you. These factors
are not dependent on whether the meat is organic
or not, but what you do eat is healthier, keeping
you fitter and more active than non-organic meat
might do.
As for organic clothing, it is comfortable, natural,
non-allergenic, non-irritant, and comes entirely
from plants. It is made from organically grown