Why I switched to organic food |
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Shameek Chakravarty Co-founder & CEO, Farmizen Over the past 5 years I have spoken with thousands of organic consumers. Most of them intuitively believe organic food is nutritionally better, but don't really know why. Let's dive deeper into the WHY. No scaremongering, just the facts. |
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Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops - British Journal Of Nutrition View Report |
Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops - British Journal Of Nutrition View Report |
| Antioxidants Organically grown crops are more prone to pest attacks than conventional crops. - To defend against pests, they produce more of phenolic compounds called phyto-chemicals.
- These act as antioxidants in humans, and neutralize free radicals in our body
- We get more of the anti-cancer, anti-ageing, immuno-modulation benefits of antioxidants
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Toxic and Heavy Metals Conventional farming fertilisers are often made from industrial waste and can have heavy metals like Cadmium. Heavy metals in our food can cause infertility, loss of memory, cancer, damage to nervous system. |
| Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture - Environmental Health Journal View Report |
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Toxic and Heavy Metals Conventional farming fertilisers are often made from industrial waste and can have heavy metals like Cadmium. Heavy metals in our food can cause infertility, loss of memory, cancer, damage to nervous system. |
| Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture - Environmental Health Journal View Report |
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Minerals Organic farmers focus on building soil health with the help of soil organisms. - Cat-ion exchange capacity of root-hairs is higher in healthy soil.
- Plants can absorb more mineral ions.
- Eating organic produce gives us a good supply of trace minerals.
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Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilisers in conventional farming. - Accumulation of excess nitrates in plants
- Excess nitrates in our food can lead to endogenous nitrosation, causing diabetes, thyroid conditions, and cancer.
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Everyone understands this one. Conventional farmers use both permitted and banned pesticides, sometimes just before harvest. These are dangerous chemicals you want to stay away from. For example, organophosphates, the most popular type of pesticides, use the same biochemical mechanism as nerve gas. Pesticides like Mono-crotophos, banned in several countries, are widely used in India today. Anyone can buy and use them as they wish. Why pesticide residues are dangerous - These dangerous chemicals invariably find their way on to our plates, often more than the maximum permissible limit.
- Puts a lot of pressure on kidneys which work overtime to get rid of these toxins from our body.
- Causes endocrine disruptions, cognitive impairment, lymphomas - the list is unending.
- Problems are especially exacerbated in children, old or sick people, pregnant women.
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This is why I choose organic food whenever it's possible. There are other reasons why you should insist on organic produce. For example, it is much better for the environment. Will talk about those another day. If you found this information useful, do forward to friends and family. Also you can- |
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- 1. Toss me a follow on twitter for more threads on organic farming and food systems → @shameekc
- 2. If you are in Bangalore or Hyderabad do install the Farmizen app - we facilitate organic and natural farmers to sell directly to you.
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| Farmizen is a marketplace that connects consumers directly to natural and organic farmers. Get fresh fruits, vegetables and staples home delivered from local farmers. |
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