Organic food must be grown and manufactured without using any hormones, synthetic fertilizers, or pesticides. Something that is packaged as organic must contain at least 95% organic product by weight.
Organic food tends to cost a bit more than non-organic food. Dr. Mike gives five reasons it's worth the expense:
- Fruits and vegetables. Research studies on organically grown fruits and vegetables have found them higher in antioxidants; phenolic acids, flavanones, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols and anthocyanins. They often taste better.
- Dairy. Organic milk is higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids and in particular the extremely beneficial omega-3 type polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Meat. Organically produced meats are much higher in total polyunsaturated fatty acids and in particular the omega-3 type polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- GMOs. The organic label demands the product be free from GMOs.
- Sourcing and labeling. The source of the organic food must be provided, while non-organic food can come from anywhere with no declaration of origin.
Listen in as Dr. Mike dishes on why you need organics in your diet.