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New boost for benefits of going organic2 November 2007
Organic food may be better for your health than conventional produce, according to initial findings from a Europe-wide study. Fruit and vegetables grown organically contained up to 40 percent more anti-oxidants than those grown non-organically during the study. Anti-oxidants are thought to be helpful in reducing the risk of a number of diseases including cancer and possibly dementia. However, only certain organic foods had increased levels of substances such as vitamin C and anti-oxidants that provide nutritional benefits. These include milk, tomatoes and apples. The Soil Association, which promotes sustainable, organic farming, welcomed the results. The charity's director Patrick Holden said: "For the past 60 years, the Soil Association has sought on the basis of practical observation, underpinned where available by sound science, to show the benefits of sustainable, organic farming to the health of people and planet… There is enough evidence now that the level of good things is higher in organics". Holden challenged the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to recognise this. The FSA has been sceptical over whether organic produce has any increased nutritional benefit in comparison to conventionally produced food. A spokesperson from the FSA commented: "The FSA's view is that the weight of current scientific evidence does not support claims that organic food is more nutritious or safer than conventionally produced food. However, a number of new studies have recently emerged focussing on nutritional differences between organic and non-organic food." "We have therefore decided that it would be beneficial to carry out a review of all available scientific literature relating to the nutrient content of organic food." The QualityLowInputFarming (QLIF) project has over 31 partners and is taking place in a number of sites across Europe. It's led by Newcastle University's agricultural research centre Nafferton Farm and funded by the European Union. It aims to find out if organic farming can improve food quality and reduce impacts on the environment. The final outcomes of the four-year study are due to be reported over the next year. These initial findings have not yet been peer-reviewed by a journal but were presented at a congress held in Germany and organised by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture. Back to the latest health news
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