Organic Foods Really Are Better for You, Study Finds

If you think organic foods are a waste of time, a landmark, four-year European Union study may convince you to change your mind.

Eating organic produce is not only more nutritious than conventionally grown fruits and veggies, but organic foods may even help you to live longer, researchers from the European Union discovered.

Special thanks to nutritionist Liz Lipski, Ph.D., founder of the innovative Access to Health Experts program for alerting us to this exciting study.

As Liz and the Sunday Times pointed out, the European researchers learned that the:

• Organic fruits and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants.
• Organic produce had higher levels of iron and zinc.
• Milk from organic herds contained up to 90% more antioxidants.

Interestingly, as Access to Health Experts and Sunday Times inform us, Professor Carlo Leifert, or Newcastle University -- who coordinated this landmark project -- said that the differences were so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people not eating the recommended five portions a day of fruit and vegetables.

"If you have just 20% more antioxidants and you can't get your kids to do five a day, then you might just be okay with four a day," he said.

Interestingly, the UK's Foods Standard Agency (which is similar to our US Department of Agriculture) previously said concluded that there's no difference between organic and conventional foods. Now, the FSA is reviewing the research.

The study looked at fruit, vegetables and cows raised on adjacent organic and non-organic sites at a 725-acres farm near Newcastle University and other places in Europe.

Nutritionist Liz Lipski, founder of the innovative Access to Health Experts, offers three "food for thought" questions in her weekly newsletter:

Q: "What is not found in organic foods that might make them a good investment in our long-term health?
A: "Pesticides and herbicides.

Q: "If we assume that the process of growing organic foods is healthier for the farmer, the shipper, the grocery store clerk, our soil, our water, and our air, then could the extra cost of organic foods be a wise, long-term investment?
A: "I'd answer a big YES! What about you?"

Well, cheers to organic foods. I'm certainly glad to hear that I'm getting more nutrients by eating them!