The Truth about Non Organic foods Essay Example for Free

The Truth about Non Organic foods Essay In today’s society, an individual can go into the grocery store to pick up some â€Å"fresh† lettuce and garnishing’s for a salad and think that they are doing something good for both them self and for the environment. This same person will likely purchase low calorie snacks, sugar free desserts, and perhaps even Splenda and then live under the misconception that they are in fact eating a â€Å"healthy† diet. Yet, within the so-called fresh salad and the other products mentioned above, are little secrets; secrets that most food sellers don’t want consumers to know. In fact, these types of products are what are commonly referred to as non-organic. Non-organic foods include chemicals and fertilizers and can be defined as deprived of living. As opposed to organic foods which are foods produced by using organic farming. Here, the word organic refers to the way the farmers grow and process these agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conversation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat dont use conventional methods to fertilize, or to control weeds and prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weed killers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch to keep seeds at bay. There are, of course many supporters of nonorganic food, who argue that there is little difference between non organic and organic food. According to a recent 2012 study conducted at Harvard University, eating organic fruits and vegetables may lower exposure to pesticides, however the amount measured from non-organic foods is still within safety limits, making it safe and still healthy for consumers to eat non organic products† (47). However, there are a growing number of critics of nonorganic food, who argue that nonorganic produce contain a larger amount of pesticides and chemicals that have been linked to cancer, problems with pregnancy, and development issues in children. These critics also argue that non organic produce have been found to contain a lot less nutrition when compared to organic produces. It seems clear after a careful consideration of all the issues that nonorganic foods are, in fact, harmful to the body. The most harmful aspect of nonorganic foods is the presence of chemicals, many of  which are linked to cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Non organic foods are full of  preservatives, pesticides, and chemicals proven to cause cancer. Pesticides are classified as a  toxin, which means that they kill living things. These toxins are often sprayed on the  nonorganic foods available in the marketplace. The problem with these toxins is the large  amount of health problems they have been linked to. In terms of current scientific data, it is  becoming clear that these types of these toxins do in fact cause Cancer and other life  threatening diseases. Indeed, the Breast Cancer Awareness Society in  Birmingham, Alabama alerts consumers about the link between pesticides and cancer:  Pesticides sprayed on Crops, antibiotics used on poultry, and hormones injected into cattle,  sheep and hogs expose Consumers involuntarily to contaminants that become part of our bodies .  Some of these exposures our found to increase breast cancer risk. (#) In addition, the  chemicals associated with nonorganic foods are also linked to a wide range of human health  hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic effects like  cancer, reproductive issues and endocrine disruption and even acute dangers, such as nerve, and  eye irritation, as well as headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and systemic poisoning. The  newest USDA research adds to the growing body of evidence that shows pesticide exposure  weakens the immune system, making people more susceptible to parasites and pathogens. A  dramatic example of the difference between organic and nonorganic food is the case of my Aunt  Amanda, who in 2012 was diagnosed with three types of cancer, including breast  Cancer. Aunt Amanda had heard about a treatment called the Gorgons diet, a diet formulated  around the eating of strictly organic foods. Amanda decided to follow this diet and ultimately,  by sticking to this diet and removing all forms of nonorganic food from her diet, her cancer has  gone into remission. And now, she has been full of energy and life ever since. Although this is  only one case, nevertheless, this particular example raises questions about the validity of  nonorganic foods and perhaps, the usefulness of organic foods in reversing harmful diseases. Nonorganic foods, also, tend to contain less vitamins than their organic counterparts and this, likewise, mitigates their use both as a proper food source and as a source of nutrition. First of all, nonorganic foods are very low in terms of vitamins. A two-year study led by John Reganold of Washington State University provided side-by-side comparisons of organic and conventional strawberry farms has shown organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while promoting healthier and more genetically diverse soils. According to †¦..[results] [(47)]. Another study was conducted by The Organic Center and professors from the University of Florida Department of Horticulture and Washington State University. This study foundthat there was a 25 percent higher concentration of 11 nutrients than their conventional counterparts (47). Obviously, as these studies tend to confirm, Organic foods really are better for an individual. And, in fact, as Florida study showed, organic foo ds are more nutritious than ordinary produce and may in fact lengthen peoples lives.(47). Obviously, organic foods are not only an alternative route to remaining safe from pesticides and chemical, but also these foods are healthier in the sense that they carry a larger amount of nutrition. Of course, many supporters of nonorganic foods will argue that organic foods are more  expensive. But when we look at the facts, organic foods are really not that much higher priced  Indeed, the slight differences in price do not compensate for all the harmful effects  described previously. A sensible, health-conscious consumer will see the logic of spending a  few more pennies and gaining in terms of overall health in their diet. Granted, organic food  does tend to be pricier than other food sources conventional, a box of organic cereal will  definitely carry a higher price tag than the cheap conventional store-brand version. But it is  also possible, without much effort, to fill a shopping cart with a week’s worth of conventional  foods and pay more than you would for a week’s worth of organic food. Conducting my own  research at the supermarket, I compared the cost of a homemade lunchbox, filled with organic  foods, with that of a typical Kraftâ⠂¬â„¢s Lunchable, which seems to be perpetually on sale, at $2.50. As it turns out, the homemade lunch (containing organic bread with organic hummus, organic  cheddar cheese, an organic apple, organic carrots and organic raisins) costs less than a Lunch  able (a typical box contains crackers or flatbread, Oscar Mayer ham, American cheese,  applesauce, a cookie or a bag of candy, and a juice box). It seems obvious that the price  differences is not truly a problem, because with careful consideration a person can easily spend  as much on organic food as they typically would spend on nonorganic foods. When one examines all the evidence provided above it becomes clear that non organic  Foods are in fact harmful to the human race. It doesn’t take much sense to realize that foods  grown with chemicals and pesticides sprayed on them all which are linked to causing health  issues as big as cancer are something people should try and stay away from. There are healthier  Alternatives none as organic foods, placed under a myth that they are more expensive, when in  fact above it was discovered they can actually cause less. It’s clear to see here nonorganic foods  are not a healthy choice and should be avoided as much as possible.