As more studies are performed on the differences between organic and conventionally grown food products, researchers are finding macro and micro evidence that organic food may be more beneficial for consumers. Fresh Plaza recently shared a story from NPR.com about the results of a British Journal of Nutrition study. The renowned nutritional science publication found that organic production can boost key nutrients in foods by way of flavonols, anthocyanins and nitrogen absorption. This boosts evidence from a 2014 study by the same peer-reviewed journal.
Organic crops, it has been found, have about 50 percent higher levels of anthocyanins and flavonols, offering a variety of benefits such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory effects and cell protection. These compounds and benefits can help fend off disease. This research supports a finding by the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom that an organic diet can provide more antioxidants than a conventional diet.
The way organic foods absorb nitrogen also produces beneficial secondary effects, researchers at both the British Journal of Nutrition and at the University of California, Davis, have found.
These findings support prior research stating organic is indeed better for the human body. Skeptics remain and research is still split, but we do know that organic produce purchase and consumption is on the rise. More families are willing to spend more money to purchase organic produce for their children than ever before. The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) U.S. Families’ Organic Attitudes & Beliefs 2014 Tracking Study surveyed 1,200 households with at least one child under 18 and found 51 percent believed price was a barrier for organic purchases, compared to 62 percent in 2013. Despite the higher price tag, 47 percent of parents polled said half or more of their weekly grocery purchases were organic. Read more about that study in the Organic Odes blog post, U.S. Parents Willing to Spend More on Organics.
What does this research mean for Organics Unlimited and our industry? It points to more evidence that organic produce is not a trend, but a healthy lifestyle that more consumers are willing to embrace. We can expect to see demand for organic produce continue to rise as scientific research proves that organic food is better for consumers.
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