by Organic foods contain significantly more secondary plant substances
Another group of researchers looked at organic food in terms of its content of secondary plant substances and drew the following conclusion from the 343 studies considered: Organically grown fruit and vegetables contain on average between 20 and 60 percent more secondary plant substances than products from conventional cultivation. The scientists suspect that the higher content of phytochemicals is related to the fact that organic plants protect themselves against predators compared to conventionally grown plants & therefore produce more phytochemicals to do this. In addition, nitrogen fertilization in conventional cultivation means that the plants grow faster and therefore have less time to produce phytochemicals.
Are organic foods less contaminated with pesticides?
In conventional cultivation, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides are often used to protect fruit and vegetables from predators, other plants or fungal infestation. As a result, residues of the chemicals used often remain on or even in the food. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has investigated which conventional products are particularly contaminated or often contain large amounts of pesticide residues. It found it most pesticides in the following foods:
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Fruit: Currants, tangerines, mangoes, table grapes
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Vegetables and Salad: Aubergines, beans (with pods), lamb’s lettuce, fresh herbs, celeriac, cultivated mushrooms, peppers, radishes, radishes, spinach
You should therefore definitely obtain these foods from organic cultivation, as even washing or cleaning the varieties cannot completely eliminate the pesticides.
Conclusion: is organic worth it?
According to current scientific knowledge, organically grown foods are likely rich in secondary plant substances and poorer in pesticide residues than conventional products. However, there are no differences in terms of vitamins and minerals. Organic products are still the better choice for both ecological and health reasons. However, if you don’t have the money to buy organic food or don’t want to spend it elsewhere, don’t worry as conventional vegetables are still a healthy choice and are significantly healthier than any convenience food. However, you should rather choose the organic version, especially for the above-mentioned types of fruit and vegetables that are contaminated with pesticides.
