Earth foods are often believed to be healthier and more nutritious than conventionally grown or genetically modified food. But like with most food that is good for you, it tends to come with a price tag. It is indeed proven that organically grown and processed food is better for the environment and animal welfare, as it avoids synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs) or growth hormones, but is it really beneficial to your health too?
Let’s examine the 5 main ways in which earth foods can indeed benefit your fitness.
1. Earth foods are rich in nutrients
Organic food is known to have a richer nutritional profile than conventionally grown food. A recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition revealed that both organic meat and milk provide 50% more of the omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for your fitness and wellbeing. This means they can help you to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.
2. Organic food can improve your overall immune system
Another study from 2014 funded by the European Union has revealed that organic fruit and vegetables contain 20 to 40% more antioxidants than conventionally grown food. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals that cause illness. They are therefore incredibly beneficial to your overall immune system as well as the health of your heart, eyes and skin. Earth food supplements like Astaxanthin and Spirulina contain high doses of vitamins and antioxidants that will give your immunity an even bigger boost.
3. Earth foods can lower the risk of cancer
Because earth foods contain no residues of pesticides or other chemicals, they can reduce the risk of cancer. Although opinions are divided on whether you can prevent cancer from eating organic food, earth foods are proven to contain around 48% less cadmium, a cancer-causing metal.
4. Eating organic food can prevent birth defects
Synthetic pesticides are thought to have a negative impact on the hormones and placenta during pregnancy, which can result in birth defects. A recent study from Norway has shown that mothers who often eat organic food during pregnancy are 58% less likely to deliver baby boys with hypospadias than women who never eat earth foods. Hypospadias is a common symptom with boys that is thought to be linked to pesticide exposure. Eating earth foods could help to prevent symptoms like these.
5. Organically grown food has benefits for your heart
Because organic food is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, it can help to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, when cows spend more time grazing, it increases the concentration of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) in milk and meat. CLA is a fatty acid that has many benefits for your heart and can reduce a high blood pressure and cholesterol.