Organic Food And Health Benefits

Agriculture and nutrition share a common focus 'food.' Availability of food from agriculture does not always ensure good nutrition. Food security is not only regarding the quantity of food that we consume but also about the quality nutrition perspective of food as well. 

Good nutrition is not about maintaining a rigid routine or list of 'do's and don'ts.' It is about the enjoyment of a wide variety of fresh foods that are minimally processed and very much organic. Organic farming is one such example of an agricultural system that ensures good quality products with healthy nutrition content.

Organic Food & Organic Farming

Quite self-explanatory, the term 'organic farming' indicates a farming process where no artificial tool or substance is obtained. In other words, the whole cultivation process is kept natural intentionally in order to preserve the organic biological components of the soil and avoid any contamination of synthetic substances. Harmful synthetic substances damage the organic quality of soil, eventually affecting the ecological balance, which has the potential to induce diseases in humans and animals.

The conventional methods of farming mostly focus on a higher amount of production, whereas organic farming opts to keep the wellbeing factor also in check. Fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemical components may pacify the growth of crops for the time being, but it also leaves chains of deterioration on the body of mother earth for future ages.

Fertilizers come in dry and liquid form and are available in organic and inorganic compounds. Pesticides on the other hand, are used in plants for eliminating, preventing, or controlling pests like; slugs, insects, fungal, and other diseases [1]. Using fertilizers and pesticides in excess can harden the soil, decrease fertility, release greenhouse gases, and pollute air and water. It can bring hazards to human health and the environment as a whole, posing serious challenges to a balanced and sustainable growth [2].

Non-organic food loses its nutrient during the processing stage when fertilizers and pesticide are used.For organic foods, we use natural fertilizers like cow manure. This way, both the production and consumption of organic food becomes healthy, environment friendly, and sustainable in the long run. After all, healthy soil is key to growing healthy food!

On the contrary, organic farming contributes to refining the physical, chemical, and biological status of soil and provides a natural assurance of risk-free crop production.As the global population increases, along with the rising rates of various complicated disease for us, more and more emphasis in now being put on shifting to organic farming, or at least minimizing the utilization of synthetic components in farming. It is imperative to monitor the spreading of genetically modified organisms (GMO), since it can trigger allergic reactions in human bodies and may even prompt antibiotic resistance to some extent. Through ensuring organic farming wherever possible, we can choose shared benefits for all living entities in our ecosphere.

Organic farming results in organic food products that reduces public health risks by minimizing their exposure to toxic and persistent chemicals on the farm. This reduced level of toxicity also occurs in food, soil, air, and water.Therefore, organic food, grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, is definitely a healthier option to be included in a sustainable diet.

History

The concepts of organic agriculture began in the early 1900s by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, Rudolf Steiner, and others who strongly believed that the use of animal manures, cover crops, crop rotation, and biologically based pest controls gave rise to in a better farming method.

This organic movement began as a response to the shift in synthetic fertilizers in the early days of industrialization. Since then, organic farming started to develop in a small, mostly family-run gardens and farms where people started growing food for their own necessities. Gradually, in the early 2000s, consumers began seeing the connection between organic food and health. So, from then on, organic food production began boosting at a steady rate.

Health Benefits & Value of Organic Food

An organically certified farm is more likely to ensure that farmers are conserving biodiversity on their farm and only using approved substances. Organic food that is grown and produced differently compared to food produced via traditional methods is considered to be more environmentally friendly. There is also significantly less exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues in organically grown fruits, vegetables, and grains when compared to traditionally grown products [3].

Many evidences show that food grown organically is filled with nutrients, such as Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Regulation & Organic Standards

It is true that, unlike conventional foods, organic food production requires no chemicals to increase their size or to ripe them before time. Grown through healthy ways, organic food also works as a great immunity booster for people of all ages! However, it is difficult to distinguish between common foods and organic foods as they look very much similar in comparison. Hence, it is important that when purchasing, we look for certified organic food in Bangladesh and around the world. The most commonly purchased organic foods are fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and meat. Some organic food such as organic honey tastes great and provides incredible health benefits.

For example, the USDA organic certification indicates that a product has been grown and processed as per organic regulations. The regulations prohibit organically processed foods from containing artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. It requiresthe ingredients to be completely organic, allowing few small exceptions [4].

What we eat is central to our health. This is why is it crucial for us to feed our body with the right nutrition and in the correct amount. Organic food is a very reliable source of nutrition that offers exceptional health benefits. It is time we start shifting to the organic farming system and eventually increase the consumption of organically grown food products.

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