Why Organic Food? 10 good reasons!
Organic products are becoming more and more popular these days because more and more people are conscious of their diet. Organic food comes from ecologically controlled cultivation. They must not contain genetically modified organisms or have been treated with synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilizers (i.e. chemical-synthetic nitrogen compounds). They also contain fewer additives than many other foods . In the case of animal products, the organic seal ensures that the animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner and are not treated with growth hormones and only to a limited extent with antibiotics .
It is true that organic products are often not exactly cheap compared to conventionally produced foods. At least from time to time they can find their way into the shopping basket. Because with organic food you are not only doing something good for yourself, but also for the environment and the animals. We have compiled the 10 best reasons for organic food for you.
Products from ecologically controlled cultivation mostly do without artificial flavorings and additives. Instead of flavor enhancers, organic products focus on the natural taste of the food. This is usually more intense with organic fruit and vegetables than with conventional foods. Because organically grown fruit and vegetables usually grow more slowly and usually have a lower water content, which makes the taste stand out more.
In addition, organic foods are also particularly healthy because they usually contain more vitamins and minerals than conventional foods due to the lower water content and are less contaminated with residues of chemical pesticides or nitrate.
Particularly high demands are placed on animal husbandry on organic farms. The animals on organic farms have more space in the barn and, if possible, an outdoor run. The animal barn must also have sufficient natural light. In addition, painful operations such as removing the curly tails of pigs or docking the beaks of poultry are prohibited.
In addition, concentrated feed for the animals on the organic farms is prohibited. Instead, the animals get organic feed specially tailored to them. With the purchase of organic meat you are not only doing yourself a favour, you are also making an important contribution to species-appropriate animal husbandry.
Foodstuffs produced according to ecological guidelines are marked precisely: the manufacturing process of the product can be precisely traced by means of a control number noted on the respective product. The control number can be used, for example, to find out which farm the purchased product came from.
In addition, all organic farmers are visited at least once a year on their farm by an inspection body. The panel examines whether farmers are complying with the prescribed guidelines for organic products. This ensures that consumers who buy an organic product are actually getting high-quality food.
Around 320 different additives are permitted for conventional foods. In contrast, only about 15 percent of it is used in organic products. Artificially produced colors and preservatives as well as artificial flavor enhancers may not be contained in organic food.
However, not only are there fewer chemicals in organic products, but organically grown grain, fruit and vegetables also come into contact with fewer synthetic pesticides in the field. This is because the use of certain pesticides is prohibited in organic farming. Instead, for example, old types of fruit, vegetables and cereals are grown that are more resilient. By doing without these pesticides, not only the food but also the environment is protected, which often benefits the biodiversity of animals and plants.
Organic food not only tastes better, but is also good for our climate: according to calculations, the production of organic food emits fewer harmful greenhouse gases than the production of conventional food. The lower emission of greenhouse gases is due to the fact that no synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are used in the cultivation of organic fruit and vegetables. Its production requires a lot of energy.
In addition, a lot of humus is built up in the soil through the use of organic fertilizers. This is why carbon dioxide can be bound particularly well in these soils. This leads to a relief of the climate. Over-fertilized soil from conventional agriculture, on the other hand, is associated with the emission of nitrous oxide, which is just as damaging to the climate as CO 2 .
But: Organic products from overseas quickly forfeit their advantages in terms of climate balance. It is therefore best to buy regionally and seasonally.
Organic food not only contains less chemicals, but also no genetic engineering. Because the producers of organic food are obliged by the EC Organic Regulation to refrain from using genetic engineering. Only a random mixing of 0.9 percent with genetically modified organisms (GMO) is permitted in organic food.
Incidentally, the renunciation of genetic engineering applies not only to the production of fruit and vegetables, but also to the production of animal-based food: the organic seal on animal products indicates that the animals have not been fed with genetically modified feed. In exceptional cases, however, genetically modified microorganisms are permitted for the production of additives, enzymes and veterinary medicinal products.
When it comes to organic food, great importance is attached to sustainability. Environmentally friendly management conserves important resources and preserves natural productivity.
Crop rotation is particularly important in the concept of sustainability: This means that different plants are grown one after the other in a field. Care is taken to ensure that the nutrients that have been withdrawn from the soil by one plant are returned to the next plant as far as possible. This protects the soil and continues to contain nutrients. Organically farmed soil is also usually richer in humus and can store more water.
Thanks to the concept of sustainability, not only we, but also future generations can still benefit from nature and its resources.
Admittedly, organic products are often more expensive than conventional products. In addition to the labor and second-intensive cultivation methods of organic farming, the reason is often the idea that organic should go hand in hand with fair prices and wages.
While not mandatory, this is part of the belief of many organic companies, who consciously choose to pay their suppliers higher prices. In many cases, organic products therefore not only stand for food produced in harmony with nature, but also for fair remuneration and fair treatment of producers and consumers. Look out for the Fairtrade seal!
Buying organic products is not only good for your body, but also protects the environment. On the one hand, this happens because organic farmers do without certain fertilizers and the use of synthetic pesticides. This not only benefits the food, but also the soil: it is protected, less nitrate is produced and the groundwater also stays clean.
On the other hand, in the production of organic food, the soil is protected in a special way through a well thought-out crop rotation. Eco-areas are therefore usually richer in species and offer a home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
With today’s abundance of groceries, it’s easy to start wondering in the supermarket: where was the groceries produced? Does it come from the region or has it already traveled a long way? And which foods are of really high quality?
While choosing an organic product doesn’t go all of these questions up in smoke, at least some do. Because organic food not only tastes delicious, but is also of good quality. In addition, by buying organic products, people often support their own region, from which many of the products offered in the supermarket come. Thus, buying organic products always leaves you with a good feeling, which makes the products you buy taste twice as good.
