Hannah O'neill

Organic Food: Can It Improve Your Health? Organic food is everywhere, and the industry continues to grow each year. Online retail giant Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods three years ago means organic food is available on a much larger scale, and people are embracing it. With organic food London delivery companies attracting more customers, it’s natural that the rest of the UK are catching onto the organic revolution. But can it improve your health? Organic Food Advantages for Health We often don’t think of where our food comes from and how it’s produced, but we should. What you put in your body can directly impact your mental wellbeing and physical health. Organic food is a healthy alternative to processed foods, and it also benefits the environment. The fact is, an organic diet can improve your health. Let’s examine them in more detail. Fewer Pesticides To be classed as organic, your food has to meet specific requirements set by regulators such as The Soil Association. Pesticides are one of the biggest worries consumers have when purchasing non-organic food. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, but they can all have a significant impact on your health. Conditions linked to pesticides include: ● ADHD ● Alzheimer’s ● Cancer ● Breathing Disorders ● Birth Defects Organic food contains fewer pesticides, so you can enjoy delicious meals without worrying about potential health impacts. Increased Healthy Fats You probably know that there are good fats and bad fats, but did you know that organic food is packed with healthy fats? Studies show that organic meat and dairy products contain 50% more omega-3 fatty acids than non-organic products. Omega-3 fatty acids offer many benefits, including: ● Improved heart health ● Lower blood pressure ● Prolonged development of plaque in the arteries. Animals that are raised in the right conditions and live on a grass-fed diet are more likely to contain higher levels of healthy fats, so organic farming processes are better for both your health and the wellbeing of the animal. Extra Antioxidants There’s some controversy as to whether organic foods contain higher levels of antioxidants, but many specialists believe they do. The results from previous studies may be compromised due to weather conditions and the lack of long-term research. One study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that organically grown onions had 20% more antioxidants than other onions. While some people question the validity of the study, antioxidants are an essential part of a healthy diet, and most fruits and vegetables contain healthy doses of them. Zero Antibiotics or Synthetics Unfortunately, it’s all too common for animals to be reared in poor or unsanitary conditions. Farmers combat this by injecting their livestock with antibiotics, but this harms everyone involved. The animals have to live in crowded environments, and the meat contains traces of these antibiotics. Another common practice among farmers is injecting animals with growth hormones to produce more dairy and meat. Synthetics are linked to a range of conditions, and certified organic food must contain no synthetics to carry a certification label. Lower Risk of Illness Unfortunately, foodborne illnesses are a part of life, and the quality of your food is essential to avoid food poisoning and other conditions. Products such as spinach, eggs, peanut butter and convenience food carry the most significant risk but eating organic produce will lessen your chances. Fewer Toxic Metals Agrichemicals are commonly used in conventional farming methods, which increase your exposure to toxic metals from the soil. Organic farming practices don’t use agrichemicals, so there’s much less exposure to toxic metals. Specialists suggest that organic food contains 47% lower levels of cadmium, which is a poisonous metal. Higher Food Quality Some people claim that meat should be avoided as it’s not good for our health, but it’s the chemicals in meat that make it so bad. Organic food doesn’t have these chemicals, so it’s of a higher quality. Better Overall Health When we put good things into our body, we feel better, right? If you start your morning with coffee and a doughnut, you won’t feel as good as if you opted for a smoothie and granola bar. It’s precisely the same with organic and conventionally farmed produce. Eating foods with more nutritional content means you give your body the power it needs to function. Organic food contains less harmful substances, which means you have more energy, better skin, can exercise frequently and generally feel good. Organic Food and Cancer With all the health benefits, it’s clear to see why organic food London delivery companies are scaling their businesses to meet consumer demand, but can organic food lessen the risks of cancer? A study conducted in France suggests that individuals that regularly consume organic produce are 24% less likely to get cancer later on in life. However, there isn’t concrete evidence to say organic food alone can lower your cancer risks. People that eat organic products live a much more active lifestyle, which can be a factor in protecting them against the deadly disease. Organic food and cancer is a controversial subject. Still, it’s important to remember that an organic diet gives you more energy and improves your health which can prevent the risks of certain cancers developing. The Bottom Line Organic food has always been a controversial topic, perhaps because it questions traditional farming methods. However, it’s undeniable that organic food advantages for health outnumber the perceived disadvantages. If you want to eat better, live longer and enjoy food packed with nutrients, then it’s time to begin your organic transformation. At Skim, we cater for a range of dietary preferences including paleo, vegan and keto diets. We prepare each meal using the freshest organic produce and have a variety of delicious options waiting for your discovery. We offer an organic food London delivery service and also ship to the rest of the UK. Our extensive plans are ideal if you want to eat well, but don’t have the time to prepare meals every day. Skim looks forward to supporting you with your organic transformation. Shop today!