Do you want to make things better for yourself? Be sure you go organic!

The cultivation method and subsequent handling of agricultural goods are what is meant by the word "organic." These are foods that are grown naturally without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or insecticides and are not modified or processed using synthetic products and additives. The regulations regarding these foods vary from country to country, but in Singapore, they are defined as foods that meet these criteria.

Organic animals used to produce meat, eggs, and dairy products must be reared in living circumstances that allow for the expression of their natural behaviors and be given organic feed and forage. They cannot be fed animal by-products, antibiotics, or growth hormones.

When you switch from conventional to organic food, you create a win-win scenario not just for your physical health but also for the environment and the farmers who produce organic food.

It should be no surprise that consumers are eager to shell out extra money for organic food. Research has shown that organic foods have lower levels of pesticide residues than non-organic crops, and organic farming techniques can potentially reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment.

Read the additional material that is provided below to learn more about the influence that eating organic food may have on your way of life:

Produce grown without the use of pesticides is known as organic.

In traditional agriculture, synthetic fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are commonplace, and residues of these chemicals continue to be present on (and in) the food we consume.

Organic food often has a more robust flavor.

Since it does not include any additives that extend its shelf life, such as preservatives, produce that is organic may be grown on smaller farms that are located closer to the markets where it is sold; however, this is not always the case, so consumers should pay attention to where their food comes from.

Organic farming is often considered to be more environmentally friendly.

Organic agricultural techniques have the potential to lessen the effects of pollution, save water, cut down on soil erosion, raise the fertility of the soil, and use less energy. Farming without synthetic pesticides is beneficial not just for the people who live nearby but also for the birds and animals that reside in the area.

Antibiotics, growth hormones, and animal byproducts are NOT provided to organically reared animals, nor are they given to the animals themselves.

Animal byproducts fed to animals raise the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and the use of antibiotics may lead to the development of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Animals that are reared organically often have greater room to roam and access the outdoors, contributing to the animals' overall health.

Organic meat and milk have more of certain nutrients.

According to the findings of research that was conducted in Europe in 2016, the quantities of critical nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, were up to 50 percent greater in organic meat and milk than they were in counterparts that were conventionally farmed.

Organic food does not contain any GMOs.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants whose DNA has been changed in ways that cannot occur in nature or conventional crossbreeding. This modification is often done to confer resistance to pesticides or the production of an insecticide.

Here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you should watch out for in organic selections to get the most out of the advantages and possibilities that come with eating organic food. The phrase "Dirty Dozen" refers to these items. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes the Dirty Dozen every year. This list consists of the 12 conventional fruits and vegetables with the greatest pesticide residue levels.

Here is your guide for the 2023 Dirty Dozen.

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Kale, collard, and mustard greens
• Peaches
• Pears
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Grapes
• Bell & Hot Peppers
• Cherries
• Blueberries
• Green Beans

This year's list of the Dirty Dozen includes blueberries and green beans in addition to the original eleven. According to the research, many samples of green beans had traces of the hazardous pesticide acephate. The EPA has prohibited acephate on green beans produced for human consumption for more than ten years. More than ninety percent of the samples of strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines, and grapes tested positive for the residues of two or more different pesticides.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general information purposes only. All information in this article is sourced from other websites, and we do not represent any rights regarding the contents and information on the site. All rights belong to their original owner. 

Sources:

1. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm 
2. https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Organic%20Foods%20_Singapore_Singapore_3-27-2017.pdf 
3. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/organic-win-farmer-consumer-and-environment 
4. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm#:~:text=Organic%20foods%20often%20have%20more,Organic%20produce%20contains%20fewer%20pesticides. 
5. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/ewg-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-lists