OPTING FOR ORGANIC

Whenever I go shopping, I always choose the organic option – not only for my health (my body functions just fine without added pesticides and herbicides, thank you) but also because organic farming practices are better for the earth. It’s no surprise then that I was very happy to read the results of recent research from the University of California. 

Dr. Mitchell and his team spent ten years measuring the levels of quercetin and kaempferol – two important flavonoids found in tomatoes which provide powerful antioxidant benefits. They found that the levels of these components were 79% and 97% higher in organically grown tomatoes than in conventionally grown plants.  Peter Melchett of the Soil Association responded: 

“These findings also confirm recent European research, which showed that organic tomatoes, peaches and processed apples all have higher nutritional quality than non-organic.” 

Such findings could have a great impact on our health. Quercetin and kaempferol, for example, have been linked to reduced rates of dementia, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Luckily, organic products are becoming much easier to find. Better for you, better for the environment – it’s time to go organic.