<p>In recent years, the media has repeatedly referred to the various benefits of organic food compared to the unhealthy and, at times, dangerous qualities of non-organic food.<br />
Suddenly, our weekly grocery shops became a challenge to only buy the best organic ingredients. But how can organic food really benefit our health?<br />
And is it worth spending extra money on organic rather than saving on cheap supermarket favourites?<img style="float: right" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900422196.jpg" alt="Eye health" width="250" height="250" /><br />
Studies investigating the health benefits of organic food are conflicting. So what’s the best way to ensure we benefit from the food we eat?<br />
Carrots are one of the world’s most popular vegetables as a staple of millions of meals across the globe.<br />
They are famed for their vitamin-rich, health-boosting qualities, particularly for eyesight.<br />
With around 800 million people suffering from blindness or a severe visual impairment, it’s no wonder these vision-boosting vegetables have become so popular.<br />
The high content of carotene is processed by the body into vitamin A which is a powerful vitamin for promoting eye health.<br />
Research suggests that organic carrots provide more of the antioxidant compounds and natural nutrients than carrots grown with the aid of chemical pesticides.<br />
Without chemicals protecting the plants from harm, the plants themselves produce nutrients and metabolites as a self-defense mechanism.<br />
It just so happens that these protective compounds<img style="float: right" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900438718.jpg" alt="Organic vegetables" width="250" height="250" /> are particularly beneficial for our health.<br />
It is also believed that organic fruit and vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and oranges contain higher levels of vitamin C, D and E.<br />
These vitamins are essential for general health and reducing the risk of infection.<br />
Vitamin E, in particular can reduce the risk of developing cataracts when consumed regularly.<br />
In terms of vitamin consumption,<br />
western diets are believed to be severely deficient and it is thought that chemical pesticides harm the natural vitamin-rich integrity of fruit and vegetables.<br />
Whilst eating more fruit and vegetables would be the best way to ensure we get enough of the good stuff,<br />
organic produce could provide an important boost to our diets.<br />
In addition, organic animal produce is believed to be safer and contain more essential antioxidants.<br />
Antioxidants are famed for their ability to reduce harmful free radicals in the body to support a healthy immune system.<br />
Milk from organic cattle has been found to contain 50-80% higher levels of antioxidants than normal milk. <img style="float: right" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900411701.jpg" alt="Organic produce" width="250" height="250" /><br />
Despite this, a review of 237 research studies into organic food found no consistent differences in the vitamin content.<br />
However, there was a difference in the pesticide residue in the organic products;<br />
one explanation for why many people choose organic over conventionally farmed foods.<br />
Pesticides are commonly used to reduce the risk of insects and other pests damaging the crops,<br />
and to maintain the longer shelf life of fruit and vegetables.<br />
Without these, organic products are undoubtedly more natural but they may spoil more quickly.<br />
Although the overall evidence about the benefits of organic food is conflicting,<br />
it is clear that the essential nutrients and vitamins in fruit and vegetables are essential to the body’s healthy development and repair.<br />
Whilst the elimination of chemical pesticides would undoubtedly provide a more natural end result, the difference in vitamin levels is difficult to accurately measure.<br />
Nevertheless, by eating more fruit and vegetables and ensuring we choose a balanced, healthy diet, our bodies are sure to benefit from the whole range of nutrients naturally found in these products.<br />
It’s also important to remember that organic versions of food products are, on average, 20% more expensive so you would need to weigh up the potential health benefits against the additional cost of going organic.</p>
<h5>Featured images:</h5>
<p><span class="license">License: Royalty Free or iStock</span><br />
<span class="source">source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/images/results.aspx?qu=carrots&;ex=1#ai:MP900438718|mt:2|</span><br />
<span class="license">License: Royalty Free or iStock</span> <span class="source">source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/images/results.aspx?qu=milk&;ex=1#ai:MP900411701|</span><br />
<span class="license">License: Royalty Free or iStock</span> <span class="source">source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/images/results.aspx?qu=eyes&;ex=1#ai:MP900422196|mt:2|</span><br />
Victoria writes about health and nutrition for cheap glasses online retailer, Direct Sight.</p>

Should We All Be Eating Organic Food?
