Organic food is springing up like mushrooms; of course organic mushrooms. Products with the organic Demeter quality mark are on the shelves in more and more supermarkets. But this organic food is often discussed in terms of health. It is clear that organic products are grown in a different way than conventional agriculture, but what does this contribute to health? Is it healthier for you or not? What does the dietician think of these organic products?

What does “organic” stand for?

Organic agriculture is characterized by growing crops in the most natural way possible. This means without artificial fertilizers and chemical pesticides to influence the growth of a product. In addition, organic products do not contain odors, colorings, flavorings or preservatives to prevent unnatural influence on the foodstuffs, for example on shelf life, ripening and color of the products.

Consider organic or conventional

But do all these abstinences from stimulants have a better effect on health? It has been proven beyond doubt that they have an effect on the growth and appearance of the product. Organic products grow at a slower pace to get the most out of the crop. In addition, the idea behind organic farming is friendliness for nature, animals and people. First of all, this does not say anything about the health effects of food, which may well be a consequence of this method of agriculture. In addition, a recently released American review study from Stanford University shows the current research results of organic food on health. What these researchers have done is read and studied more than 235 studies about organic food and its health-promoting effects and summarized the conclusions. This revealed a number of differences between organic and conventional food. Among other things, there are more healthy fats in organic milk than in conventional milk and that organic vegetables contain 30% fewer pesticide residues than the conventional variety. Children would also have fewer residues of these pesticides in their urine. But it was not proven that organic food would actually be healthier in the long term. Despite these differences between organic and conventional, there is not yet enough evidence that organic products are really healthier. The researchers concluded that more research should be done on this.

Vision of a dietitian

As a dietitian you are an expert in the field of nutrition. However, there are many different opinions and visions about this area and it is therefore difficult to give a clear opinion. Difficult, because you often have to be able to substantiate something scientifically to prove something. As a dietitian, you are expected to work in an evidence-based manner. When it comes to food, especially organic food, scientific research is still at the bottom of the virtual staircase that they have to climb. Perhaps partly because organic food has only really come into view of the everyday consumer in recent years. In the absence of research results, the health effects of organic food cannot be substantiated and it is therefore difficult for the dietitian to make a statement. The dietitian generally looks at nutrition in this way. A dietician is often concerned with the nutritional value and the effects of a food on health and because these effects of organic food have not yet been scientifically proven enough, a general dietitian does not necessarily prefer organic food. There are now many different views on healthy food in the nutritional landscape. One of those visions is the anthroposophical vision from which organic agriculture originates, but orthomolecular dietitians also have a different vision of healthy nutrition. They are all dietitians but have a different approach, so a client can choose what suits him best.

Other Considerations for Organic Eating

Regardless of whether the health effects of organic food have been scientifically proven or not, there are other benefits that organic farming brings, such as: a fairer price for farmers and people say that it actually tastes better. It would also be better for animals, as they receive less growth hormones and antibiotics and have more free space. These can of course also be reasons for consumers to eat organic. But there is a literal price tag on organic food. This is often more expensive due to the longer and more intensive processing.

Conclusion

Through the eyes of a regular dietitian, there is currently no difference in health benefits between organic food and non-organic food. But opinions differ, so taste and experience the differences of organic food for yourself, personally weigh the importance of animal welfare and the environment and finally decide for yourself to what extent it fits into your budget.