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Benefits of Organic Food

Organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, growth hormones, irradiation, antibiotics or genetic engineering, but can cost many times more than non-organic produce.

A UK study has revived the debate that organic food is healthier than its non-organic equivalent. Shefali Srinivas susses out the sentiments of experts and consumers

Organic food can be part of a healthy diet, but food grown organically is no better or worse for your health when compared with conventionally grown food.

That's what Singapore's Health Promotion Board (HPB) maintains.

It was responding to findings from a recent United Kingdom (UK) study that organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 per cent more antioxidants. That revived the decades-old debate on whether organic food is healthier than non-organic food in any quantifiable way.

The term organic refers to a natural approach to farming without the use of artificial pesticides or fertilisers. It focuses on sustainability and is mindful of the impact farming has on the wider environment.

Among the health claims for organic food is that it is more nutritious and can ward off a range of diseases, from cancer and heart disease to gastric problems.

Mr Benjamin Lee, acting head of nutrition standards at HPB, said: 'There is no consistent body of evidence which indicates that organic food is nutritionally more beneficial than conventionally grown food.'

Advocates of organic food in Singapore welcomed the results of the UK study.

Dr Caroline Low, an anti-ageing physician at Raffles Hospital, said she believes that organic foods are healthier as they are produced without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, growth hormones, irradiation, antibiotics or genetic engineering.

Ms Tuyet Nguyen, founder of L'Organic market at Dempsey Road, said: 'It is a vindication of the experience of many people who have chosen to eat organic, and certainly adds credibility and 'measurable' results to the issue.'

She added that the study might give people a more tangible reason to go organic.

Singaporeans seem to be getting on the organic bandwagon even as experts continue to debate the evidence.

A survey by The Nielsen Company in 2005 showed that more than 60 per cent of Singaporeans claimed to consume organic foods and the majority cited personal health as their main motivation.

The main deterrent is cost. Organic food can cost many times more than non-organic produce, depending on the variety and seasonal supplies.

For instance, a non-organic tomato from Malaysia costs about 60 cents a kg. while an organically-grown vine tomato from Holland (air-flown) will cost about $13.50 a kg.

The survey found that fruit and vegetables were the most commonly bought organic products.

Singaporean Jasmine Andriesz, 34, a financial planner, has raised her 14-month-old son exclusively on organic food.

'I think Cameron's pretty lucky because the range of organic products now available here is amazing. So I'm able to find baby food for him,' she said.

This lifestyle choice costs her an average of 25 per cent more each month.

'But having read about the harmful pesticides and fertilisers, my husband and I want to give our baby as much organic food as possible, even though as parents, we can't eat 100 per cent organic,' she said.

Ms Andriesz is not alone. Ms Mindy Chua, the store manager of Four Seasons Organic Market at Great World City, told Mind Your Body that she had 1,500 new customers signing up as members in the last six months. Many are mothers with babies.

A spokesman for FairPrice supermarkets said it has doubled its assortment of organic products from 2005.

'People staying in the heartland areas are also becoming more health-conscious and some have switched to buying organic products,' he said.

But are people who can't afford to go organic losing out?

Nutrition consultant Anna Jacob said the new study does not negate the value of regular non-organic produce.

She advises people to concentrate on getting their two servings each of fruit and vegetables daily.

'If budget is an issue, just buy regular produce, wash it well and cook it right for maximum nutrient retention,' she said.

Ms Nehal Kamdar, a dietician at Raffles Hospital, agrees. While she thinks the study is interesting, there is still a lot we don't know, she said.

'Nutrient levels in food vary depending on several factors - like weather conditions, freshness of the food, storage conditions and cooking method.

'Therefore, one may buy organic food but if it is not stored or cooked properly, nutrient levels may not be high,' she said.

Labels: benefits of organic food, organic health food

# posted by Leo @ 8:13 PM