How Eating Organic Benefits People & Planet

Removing GMOs and pesticides from your diet can take a huge toxic buden from your body- and the planet

- MELISSA DIANE SMITH

In celebration of Earth Day—an annual event that takes place on April 22 to raise awareness of environmental issues—consider taking the big step to support organic farming by regularly choosing organic foods when you shop. Doing so is one of the most effective ways you can take action to protect the health of the Earth. And, even better, it’s a key way to safeguard your own health.

Organic Is Significantly Better

Unlike conventional farmers, certified organic farmers cannot use toxic synthetic chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and unnecessary hormones or antibiotics. Instead, they use practices that restore, maintain, and enhance soil and ecosystem health. Perhaps not surprisingly, this type of farming produces more nutritious foods. Organic foods have 18–69 percent higher concentrations of health-protective antioxidants than conventionally grown foods, according to a 2014 meta-analysis that examined 343 peer-reviewed publications in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Organic foods also contain lower levels of toxic heavy metals and pesticides than conventional produce. And that’s important, especially for kids. Certain pesticide residues are thought to trigger subtle changes in a child’s development and have been linked to health problems, including ADHD, autism, and obesity.

Eating Organic Linked to Lower Risk of Cancer

A study reported in October 2018 in