Organic Vs. Conventional Food: Nutritious Value By: Eric Albuquerque Science 8-4 1/4/12

Organic and Conventional Food Organic Food: Food that comes from organic farming Organic Farming: Farming methods that do not use farming chemicals to grow, sustain, and process food Products certified 95 percent or more organic have this seal from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conventional Food: Food that comes from conventional farming Conventional Farming: Farming methods that use farming chemicals to grow, sustain, and process food

Organic Farming Advantages No use of chemical fertilizers to keep soil fresh; instead, use of manure and compost No use of pesticides to keep out/kill pests; instead, use of insects, birds, or traps No use of herbicides for weed management; instead, use of mulch, rotating crops, and hand weed No use of hormones or antibiotics to promote animals growth and prevent decease; instead, use of organic feed, roaming Keep balanced diet and clean housing for farm animals

Organic Farming Disadvantages Costs more than conventional farming Organic farmers pay more for organic animal feed Farming is more labor intensive Organic farmers cannot produce as much as conventional farmers because they stay away from chemicals in farm products Cost reflects in grocery stores; organic produce is more expensive than conventional produce Organic food does not last as long as conventionally farmed food

Conventional Farming Advantages The only realistic advantage in conventional farming is the cost It costs less to produce products in conventional than in organic farming Conventional foods are less expensive than organic foods in the grocery store

Conventional Farming Disadvantages Use of chemical fertilizers to keep soil fresh Use of pesticides to keep out/kill pests Use of herbicides for weed management Use of hormones and antibiotics to promote animals’ growth and prevent disease

Organic Foods Are Better Sources of Nutrition All the chemicals that conventional farmers use to maintain the produce causes loss of nutrients Example: Organic milk has 67% more vitamins and antioxidants and more omega-3s and omega-6s (“good” fats) than conventional milk Organic foods have no additives and are not genetically modified

Use of antibiotics in conventional farming causes growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics Organic Farming Prevents Development of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Many Diseases Are Associated with Pesticides in Conventional Foods Diseases associated with pesticide exposure: Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Autism Dementia

Conclusion The nutritious and health benefits of organic foods outweigh the costs of organic farming

Sources Alvarez, Luis M. “It’s Easy Being Green: Organic Vs. Conventional Foods - The Gloves Come Off.” Center for American Progress. N.p., 10 Sept Web. 4 Jan “Good Meats Vs. Bad Meats: Your Definitive Guide to How to Choose Healthiest Meat.” Body Ecology. N.p., 23 Mar Web. 4 Jan “Organic Foods: Are They Safer? More Nutritious?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Dec Web. 4 Jan Park, Alice. “Study: A Link between Pesticides and ADHD.” Time 17 May 2010: n. pag. Rpt. in Time. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Time Health. Web. 4 Jan Pearlstein, Joanna. “Surprise! Conventional Agriculture Can Be Easier on the Planet.” Wired Magazine. N.p., 19 May Web. 4 Jan