Q At my local grocery store, I can buy regular apples for $1.50/lb or organic apples for $2.50/lb. Are organic fruits and vegetables more nutritious than non-organic?
A Although there are valid reasons why you might decide to pay a premium for organic produce, nutrition really isn’t one of them. If you’re looking to maximize your health and nutrition, the amount of fruits and vegetables you consume is far more important than whether or not they are organic.
Researchers from Stanford University reviewed more than 200 studies and determined that organic produce is, on the whole, no more nutritious than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. The nutrients found in any given tomato or stalk of broccoli have more to do with the plant variety, the soil it was grown in, how ripe it was when it was picked, and how long ago it was harvested. The use of pesticides (natural or synthetic) doesn’t seem to affect the nutrients in produce.
Although conventionally grown produce is more likely to have detectable levels of synthetic pesticides, “detectable” doesn’t necessarily mean dangerous. Even if you eat only conventional produce, you’re unlikely to be exposed to harmful amounts of pesticides. Nonetheless, it’s still a good idea to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
Organic growing practices do reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and this can certainly benefit farm workers, livestock, wildlife and the environment. That’s why I choose organic produce whenever it’s available, affordable and fresh. (Unfortunately, at my store, the organic produce is not only more expensive, it’s often limp and wilted as well!)
