The Benefits of Organic Eating and Using Organic Hemp Supplements, for a Superior Wholesome Diet

June 27, 2021

The market for organic foods is on the rise - and for good reason! There are many wonderful benefits to eating organic foods and using organic products. As organically grown foods become more popular and widely available, we continue to learn more about the benefits of using these more natural alternatives.

What Are Organic Foods?

When it comes to food, the term organic refers to the process of producing foods without contaminants, including chemicals, artificial additives, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms.

Types of Organic Foods

Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Produce

Organically farmed crops are usually grown using natural fertilizers, such as manure, as they cannot use chemical-based fertilizers. Organic farmers often utilize natural pesticides, such as salt spray, cayenne pepper, using predatory insects, neem, or various teas and oils. [1]

Meat and Animal Products

Animals which are raised for organic meat, or which produce organic food products, such as milk or eggs, are not given antibiotics or hormones. [2]

Processed Foods

In order for these packaged foods to be organic, they must contain ingredients which were raised organically and cannot include any artificial products, such as artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colouring, flavouring, or monosodium glutamate (MSG). [2]

Processed foods may be partially or completely organic. Some foods will be labelled as “Made with Organic Ingredients,” “Contains Organic Ingredients,” or similar wording. These products are using some organic ingredients but also likely contain some ingredients that are not organic. Foods that contain more than one ingredient but are completely organic will usually say “Made Using Only Organic Ingredients,” or “100% Organic Ingredients” or similar wording. Many products made with organic ingredients will list which specific ingredients are organic within the full list of ingredients on the packaging.

A Trend on the Rise

The popularity of organic eating is on the rise, and it does not seem to be slowing down. In 2016, the market for organic produce was more than $38.9 billion and the market has increased by around 10% globally each year since. In 2018, the worldwide market for all organic foods surpassed $100 billion. One projection of market statistics claims that the market will reach nearly $150 billion by 2022 and surpass $375 billion by 2025. [3]

According to a survey of American consumers, 83% said they prefer organic foods, despite the fact that only 5.7% of food produced in America is grown organically. Additionally, the survey found that 62% of consumers said they would purchase more organic foods if the prices were lower. Despite the low numbers of organic products produced in the United States, spending on organic foods in the states is still the highest overall, although this does not take into account the population size or the high prices of organic foods in America. [3]

In European countries, organic foods are more widely grown and consumed. The top five countries for organic food consumption per capita are Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Luxembourg, then Austria. [3]

Many people are also looking for organic and healthier options for their pets. In 2018, the market for organic pet food sales grew by 10.2%. [3]

Over the last two years, another trend has dramatically increased in popularity - shopping online for groceries. Researchers claim that the market for organic foods has increased because of online shopping and found that consumers purchased about 10% more organic products when shopping online. [3]

How Organic Foods are Grown

Organic foods are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, artificial and synthetic additives, and exclude genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Bio Suisse is an organization which oversees many organic farmers and organic farming practices in Switzerland. Bio Suisse has special regulations which are particularly strict. In addition to the complete lack of genetic engineering, additives, and chemically synthesized pesticides and fertilizers, they have additional regulations to meet their organic certification. These include natural diversity, ethically sound practices for raising livestock, and specific requirements for food processing. In order for a product to achieve the Bio Suisse certification, no less than 90% of the materials used in the product must come from a farm located in Switzerland which adheres to all of the practices outlined by Bio Suisse. [4]

In short, any product which carries the Bio Suisse certification is made with materials which were produced using superior and sustainable farming practices.

The Benefits of Eating Organic Foods

Organically grown foods are healthier than conventional processed foods. They are better for the consumer, the farmer, and the environment. Additionally, organic foods have been found to contain not only higher levels of good nutrients, but also reduced levels of some harmful compounds. They do not contain chemical fertilizers or pesticides which are harmful to you and to the environment.

Are Organic Foods Healthier?

Better for You

Organic foods are the superior choice for healthy eating. When crops are sprayed with fertilizers and chemicals and foods have artificial and synthetic ingredients added in, you are left to consume these non-food items. Most people do not want to eat chemicals with their food, and even after washing produce, these chemicals can remain. Choosing organic options reduces your exposure to artificial additives and chemicals.

Additionally, organic foods have been found to contain higher levels of micronutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. [5,6,7,9,10]

Better for the Environment

Organic farming has been found to improve soil quality and aids in the conservation of groundwater. Organic farming produces less pollution than other methods. [2]

Some sceptics have said that organic farming is worse for the environment. They argue that organic pesticides are worse because some organic farmers must use a greater amount than non-organic farmers. However, organic pesticides are typically less harmful (and in some cases not harmful at all) for the environment, so the argument that farmers are doing damage by using more is not a strong one. [1]

Researchers have also found that organic crops contain higher levels of antioxidants. While this means better nutrition for you, researchers also believe that this reduces the need for pesticides in some cases. Researchers theorize that the increased levels of antioxidants work as a natural insecticide, reducing the need for anything to be added to the crops. [5]

Can Organic Foods be Genetically Modified?

In order to be labelled as organic, foods cannot be genetically modified. This means that they cannot be genetically modified and in some cases that nothing which has been genetically modified can be part of the food production. For example, animal products that are labeled as non-GMO usually must be raised on a diet of foods that are also non-GMO.

Organic foods cannot use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farmers use natural substitutes, such as animal manure for fertilizer and natural insecticides, such as salt, teas, or oils. Crops which have been genetically engineered to not require pesticides are not organic as they do not meet the requirement of containing no GMOs.

Organic foods which come already prepared are typically minimally processed. They are processed without artificial ingredients or synthetic preservatives. Some processed food products are more heavily processed and may be made with a combination of organic and conventional foods. Be sure to read the label carefully if you do not want a combination of conventional or GMO ingredients used in your food.

Organic Supplements and Other Products

In order to earn the organic designation, crops grown for supplements, teas, and other products must meet the same requirements as crops grown for food.

For example, we examined the rigorous standards used by Bio Suisse to designate products made with materials that originate from organic farms in Switzerland. The use of GMOs is banned in Switzerland, even for non-organic farmers. Because of this, crops grown in Switzerland are not only non-GMO, but they are also less likely to be contaminated with genetically altered materials, a problem which is becoming more common in countries that allow GMOs.

RUDERALEX® CBD is a non-food product which has 100% ingredients that are organic through the certified Bio Suisse farming practices. In order to obtain this certification, the farmers are adhering to the strict standards of Bio Suisse. This means that the hemp used to extract the CBD is not genetically engineered and was grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizer. [4] This translates into a safer, healthier, and more natural hemp product for you.

Are Organic Foods More Nutritious?

Yes, organic foods are generally healthier than their non-organic counterparts. Although some studies have produced mixed results, the overall conclusions show that organic foods are healthier.

Organic Foods Contain More Nutrients

Several studies have found that organic foods contain higher levels or micronutrients, such as iron and zinc, when compared to conventional foods. A team of researchers examined a total of 66 studies which took place between 1980 and 2007 and compared organic foods to inorganic foods using a whopping 1440 micronutrient comparisons. They concluded that organic produce not only contained more micronutrients, but also that the variation in nutrient levels in organic foods was greater than the variation of conventional foods. [6] This conclusion points to the idea that different methods of organic farming may provide even greater results than other methods.

Organic Crops Have Higher Levels of Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Minerals

A 2014 study found that organically produced foods are up to 69% higher in antioxidants than non-organic foods. Researchers concluded that simply changing the normal fruit, vegetables, and cereals in one’s diet to organic options which continue to eat the same amount of food each daily would produce the equivalent nutritional value of eating an extra 1-2 portions of vegetables each day. [5]

A separate study examined the antioxidant levels of fruits and berries which are known to contain high levels of antioxidants. They found that the organic produce contained an average of 58% more antioxidants and about 52% more vitamin C. [7]

The 2014 study also found that the organic produce in their study had required significantly less pesticides than conventional foods raised with chemical pesticides. The researchers theorized that the high level of antioxidants serves as the food plants’ natural defence mechanism against pests. [5]

Organic Crops Have Lower Levels of Nitrates

Nitrates occur naturally in many types of crops and the juices and powders from these crops are used as a preservative in other foods. High nitrate levels are linked to an increased risk of certain medical conditions, including several types of cancer and methemoglobinemia, an infant disease which restricts the body’s ability to carry oxygen. [8]

The consumption of nitrates is inevitable as they are naturally occurring in many foods and typically do not cause harm at normal levels. Organic crops have been found to contain reduced levels of nitrates, lowing the risk of problems linked with high nitrate levels in the body.

A study of different types of produce found that organically grown foods contain about 30% less nitrates than their conventionally grown counterparts. [5]

Organic Dairy and Meat Products Have Higher Levels of Fatty Acids

Organic milk and other dairy products have been found to contain a higher concentration of micronutrients, such as iron, vitamin E, and carotenoids. Additionally, they were found to contain a significantly higher level of omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers did note that organically farmed milk is typically not iodized, as conventional milk is, so it does not contain the high levels of iodine that non-organic milk does. [9] However, for people who prefer to get iodine from natural sources and not from artificially iodized sources, this may not be seen as a negative factor.

Additionally, a 2016 review of 67 studies found that organically farmed meat contained significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked with many health benefits including a decreased risk of heart disease, yet produced lower levels of saturated fats, which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and health problems. [10] This study appears to support the claim that replacing conventional meats with organically produced animal products may help to lower the risk of heart disease.

Some Studies Found No Difference

Some studies have found little to no difference in markers of nutrition levels between organic and non-organic foods. One study found that while organic consumers had higher levels of nutrients than inorganic consumers, the findings were more likely the result of the organic consumer eating a higher overall amount of vegetables than inorganic participants. [11]

Another study completed in 2009 found that the organic foods they tested were not higher in nutrients than the conventional foods they tested, although they found that the organic foods were in fact lower in nitrates. [12]

The difference in these studies could be caused by various factors. This may be accounted for by differences in testing measures or the products being tested. When dealing with crops and animal products, there are some inherent variations in nutrition. For crops, the levels of nutrients are impacted by the soil, temperature, location grown in, and more. For animal products, variation occurs in what the animals ate. Even two animals that both ate organic wheat could have consumed wheat that was grown in different soil levels. The nutrient levels in foods can also be impacted during harvest, handling, production, and packaging. All this leads to a wide range of factors that can impact the foods used in a particular study.

Because of this, it is more useful to assess the overall results of many studies instead of focusing on a small sample. When considering the comprehensive data for many organic foods studies, the results favour the claim that organic foods are indeed healthier and more nutritious than conventional processed foods.

Free of Chemicals and Synthetic Additives

In addition to having a healthier nutritional profile, organic products also are free of chemicals and synthetic additives. Conventional farmers use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. All that adds up to a combination of harmful substances which get ingested by the consumer. Organic crops use all-natural methods to achieve these results, leaving your food cleaner and more natural.

This is true even for non-food products. Take our earlier example of RUDERALEX® CBD which is made from 100% organic ingredients certified by the Swiss Bio Suisse standards. The CBD product is made from organic raw materials which protects you from ingesting toxins that may otherwise have been present. In this example, the RUDERALEX® brand takes an extra step in keeping their products away from pollutants and toxins, the hemp is hand-picked when it is ready and use the discarded portions of the plant as part of natural fertilizer. [4]

The use of organic non-food products raises another important issue, not all products are regulated in the same fashion that food products are. Using the above example, the CBD industry is not regulated in the UK. Because of this, it is possible for companies to mislabel and mislead their customers. However, because RUDERALEX® CBD ingredients are certified by the Bio Suisse agency, the products are carefully regulated. This means that not only is the products held to a higher standard, so is the labelling of their products. This translates into an assurance that the farmer knows the genetics of the plant, can ensure the correct legal cannabinoid profile, and has combined the CBD extract with other organic raw materials, such as the carrier oils used to create the final product.

How Are Organic Foods Certified?

In order to become certified as organic, products must meet the criteria of the certifying agent in their country. In the United States, foods must meet the criteria of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the UK, the Soil Association is a trusted accreditor of organic products. They follow both the EU’s organic regulations as well as some additional higher standards for certain areas, such as livestock, genetic engineering, additives, and packaging methods. [13]

Switzerland has perhaps the most stringent rules for farming in general as well as for organic farming. In Switzerland, organic certifications come from the Swiss Ordinance on Farming and the additional Bio Suisse certification can be awarded to products made using no less than 90% raw materials. The materials must meet the Bio Suisse standards of being grown in Switzerland on a farm, which adheres to their strict and sustainable policies. [4]

The Takeaway

Foods and other products raised through organic farming methods are the superior choice. These products have been found to be better for the consumer, the farmer, and the environment. Organic farming is more sustainable, uses less chemicals and synthetic materials, and creates a more nutritious product for the consumer.

Depending on where the foods were grown, different accrediting agencies will use different standards to decide if the food meets the criteria to be considered organically farmed. One of the most demanding certifications is the Bio Suisse standard. RUDERALEX® CBD products are made to Bio Suisse standards, meaning these products are made from 100% organic hemp raised in Switzerland. In order to meet this criteria, not only is the hemp from which the CBD is extracted 100% organically farmed, but also the other materials used to produce the end product must also meet these standards. Because of this, the carrier oils are also grown and harvested using sustainable and ethical organic farming methods.

References

Please note that this article was written by a 3rd-party author who is a specialist on the topic of CBD, hemp and cannabis. Any information or recommendations contained within this article, are independent to the opinion of RUDERALEX CBD and our employees. We make no claims for any of our products, please read our disclaimer for additional information.