|
News Note:
Health Benefits of Organic Food
A large body of scientific
evidence indicates that organic food is safer and better for you
than non-organic food, according to a new report by the Soil Association
a UK NGO. Organic
Farming, Food Quality and Human Health says much more research is needed,
but concludes that consumers wishing to improve their intake of
minerals and vitamin C while reducing their exposure to potentially
harmful pesticide residues and food additives should choose organic
food whenever possible.
The report examined over
400 published papers considering or comparing organic and non-organic
foods in terms of food safety, nutritional content and the observed
health effects in those consuming food. The author found that official
data show an alarming decline in mineral levels in fruit and vegetables
over the past half-century. Even though the typical Western diet
is more varied now than ever before, nutrient deficiencies are common
and human health is declining as a result. The analysis suggests
that farming methods can make a significant difference to levels
of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and the evidence of this
is strong enough to warrant government agencies funding much more
research in this area.
The 87-page report is endorsed
by a number of scientists, organizations and experts in the fields
of medicine, nutrition and organic research. Among the forms of
further research it recommends are long-term feeding trials with
both animals and humans to assess the influence of consuming organic
food on various health parameters including fetal health and male
fertility. The small number of feeding trials featured in the report
show significant improvements in the growth, reproductive health
and recovery from illness of animals fed organically produced feed.
The report also calls for
the the government to introduce a "health of the nation" initiative
involving the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
and the Department of Health, linking farming and food production
methods with the environment, food safety and human health.
In Britain, sales of organic
food have grown by 40% a year, with total sales reaching US$778 million
last year and expected to top US$1.4 billion by 2002. The growth
is largely a result of people believing organic food is better for
them and their children.
Source/contact: Soil
Association, Bristol House, 40-56 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY
UK; phone (44-117) 929 0661; fax (44-117) 925 2504; email info@soilassociation.org; http://www.soilassociation.org.
|
Printer-friendly version