Posted by Janet Harriett on Jul.31, 2009

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A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no evidence that organically grown produce was more nutritious than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. The researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reviewed 162 studies, spanning the past 50 years, comparing the nutritional profiles of organic and conventional foods. In the 55 studies with the highest quality research, the London School researchers found no difference in 10 of 13 nutrients (read the abstract of the study here). Conventional produce had higher nitrogen levels and organic produce had higher phosphorus levels and acidity. The researchers concluded that what differences there are between organic and conventional foods aren’t large enough to make organic nutritionally superior.

Does all this mean that there’s no reason to choose organic produce? Not at all. Even if organic and conventional produce are nutritionally equal, nutrition is only part of the reason to choose organic when possible.

Pesticide and Herbicide Residues

The study, which is getting a lot of play in the media, only looked at the 13 most commonly analyzed nutrients in foods. The analysis didn’t look at what else might be in or on conventional produce. Even if organic apples and conventional apples both have the same amount of vitamins and minerals, certified organic produce doesn’t have the trace residues of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides used in conventional agriculture. The Environmental Working Group has ranked common fruits and vegetables according to their levels of pesticide contamination, and also offers suggestions for reducing pesticide exposure from produce.

Environmental Impact of Conventional Agriculture

Green Diva Mom is all about living green inside and out. Even if organic produce is no better for us internally, organic farms are better for the environment. Pesticides kill off beneficial insects along with the pests, and synthetic chemicals don’t just stay within the confines of the agricultural operation. Overspray and runoff releases pesticides and synthetic fertilizer into the environment. Synthetic fertilizers are often made from petroleum; reducing the demand for petrochemical-based synthetic fertilizers reduces demand for oil, either drilled from domestic sources that may be in fragile ecosystems like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or imported from foreign sources.

Supporting Sustainable Farming

Buying organic produce–even if it isn’t any more nutritious–supports the sustainable farming practices of organic farms. Organic farming methods preserve soil quality, conserves water and reduces runoff of dangerous pollutants into the watersheds and groundwater. Buying organic at your local farmer’s market further supports small family farms.

Conventional agriculture has its place. Organic production methods have lower yields per acre than conventional, so the world’s population isn’t going to be fed on what current organic methods can produce on the available arable land. The lower cost of conventional produce puts fresh fruits and vegetables within the budgets of more low-income families. However, organic foods have more benefits than just what we put in our bodies and feed our families. Saying, as some are, that a study that shows no nutritional superiority for organic food means there is no reason to buy organic misses the big picture.

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Posted under GDM News & Politics, Living.