What's the big deal about purchasing conventionally grown veggies instead of organic ones anyway?

To clarify, "organic" refers to a production method for certain goods. The cultivation or farming of organic crops does not make use of any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

To carry the "organic" designation, a food item must not include any synthetic ingredients. This comprises monosodium glutamate, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, coloring, and flavoring (MSG). In addition, to promote healthy plant development, crops produced organically make use of natural fertilizers such as manure. Antibiotics and hormones are not administered to any animals that are grown organically.

People are starting to pay more attention to their health and the environment, and as a result, they have been looking for more options in the foods that are currently available on the market. This is especially true when it comes to food, as many of the foods that are currently available have been produced synthetically and are not good for one's health over the long term. There are also foods available that are made synthetically on purpose to have a longer shelf life than organic foods do. This is done to provide consumers with additional options.

But, if you are considering altering your diet, the following is a list of ten (10) organic vegetables that you should think about including in your future meal planning and preparations.

Spinach

It is not difficult to find organic spinach to purchase since many supermarkets include organic baby spinach and adult spinach in their fresh vegetable sections, in addition to organic spinach that has been frozen. Spinach is delicious raw in salads, and it also makes amazing smoothies, pasta dishes, and soups when it is cooked down.

Greens

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 86 percent of traditional leafy green samples, such as kale, collard greens, and mustard greens, had measurable amounts of two or more pesticide residues. In addition, the results of their analyses revealed that up to thirty percent of the samples included residues of contaminants that are well-established to cause cancer, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption.

If you choose organic varieties of these greens, you may reduce the number of pesticide residues that you take into your body.

Bell Peppers & Hot Peppers

Throughout the study, a total of 101 distinct pesticides were discovered on bell peppers and spicy peppers, making this category of produce one of those with the most significant number of unique pesticides discovered.

Celery

More than ninety-five percent of standard celery samples were found to have some kind of pesticide. In a single sample of celery, thirteen distinct types of pesticides were discovered.

Tomatoes

The typical tomato that was cultivated using traditional methods tested positive for roughly four different kinds of pesticides. According to the findings of the EWG, a single sample included fifteen different pesticides and breakdown products. It is simple to locate organic canned tomatoes and other tomato products; these options, which may represent a more cost-effective approach to enjoying organic tomatoes, are readily available.

Cucumbers

One of the vegetables that are consumed the most often all across the world is the cucumber. It was discovered that cucumbers had 86 distinct types of pesticides. Several of these pesticides are recognized as causing cancer, and a large number of them also pose a significant threat to the natural environment. 

Moreover, synthetic wax is applied to conventional cucumbers to safeguard the fruit while it is being transported. Since the wax is composed of chemical impurities, you will need to peel the skin of the cucumber if you choose to purchase non-organic cucumbers. By purchasing organic food, you may fully sidestep the residues of pesticides as well as synthetic waxes.

White Potatoes

White potatoes are a common pantry item in homes throughout the continent of North America; in fact, many of us grew up on the traditional supper of meat and potatoes. White potatoes have a reputation for being unhealthy due to their high carbohydrate content and little nutritional value. On the other hand, they have a quite high fiber content.

The Environmental Working Group found that potatoes, on average, carried more pesticides by weight than any other kind of crop. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are considered one of the "Clean Fifteen" vegetables, so don't confuse them with those. 

Imported Snap Peas

Snap peas are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as fiber, both of which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system. The presence of 78 different pesticide residues in snap peas places them among the highest on this list. The majority of them are thought to be endocrine disruptors, which are components of the body that regulate hormones. 

Hormones are similar to messengers in that they disperse vitally crucial signals throughout the body to perform their functions. Suppose hormones are thrown off balance because of exposure to synthetic chemicals like pesticides. In that case, the body will not be able to send and receive signals effectively, which will result in dysfunctional bodily processes.

Cabbage

Cabbage cultivated without the use of pesticides tastes far better than conventionally grown cabbage. Both green cabbage and red cabbage have a significant amount of nutritional content.

It is thought that some pesticides may cause cancer in humans. Organic cabbages are grown without the use of pesticides, so they retain their optimal nutritious content while avoiding the health hazards associated with chemical exposure. It has been shown via research that cabbages can absorb pesticides from their roots all the way up to the innermost layers of their leaves; hence, opting for an organic variety may be of great benefit since this problem is circumvented.

Cauliflower

In addition to having a large number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, cauliflower is a member of the Brassica family of vegetables. In addition to that, it is rich in fiber and phytonutrients, both of which are advantageous to one's health. 

Cauliflower grown organically has many advantages, including the following: It is cultivated without the use of any fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides; Consuming organic food may lower one's risk of being exposed to potentially hazardous pollutants; organic cauliflower may have a higher nutrient content than its conventionally cultivated counterpart. 

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. 12 Foods You Should Buy Organic | EatingWell
2. Best Top 10 Organic Fruits And Vegetables You Need To Be Eating Recipes, News, Tips And How-Tos (foodnetwork.ca)