Soil Association Report Says Organic Food Is More Nutritious

Soil Association Report Says Organic Food Is More Nutritious

BRISTOL, England--According to a report by the Soil Association(www.soilassociation.org), based here, organic food may not only be safer thanconventional food, but also healthier. The 87-page Organic Farming, FoodQuality and Human Health is a compendium of 400 published papers comparingorganic and non-organic foods in terms of food safety, nutritional content andthe observed health effects from consuming those foods.

This report contradicts what groups such as the British Food Standards Agency(FSA) have stated: that organic and conventional foods offer no nutritionaldifferences. On average, we found that organic crops are not only higher invitamin C and essential minerals, but also higher in phytonutrients, compoundsthat protect plants from pests and disease and are often beneficial in thetreatment of cancer, stated Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association.[F]arming methods can make a significant difference to levels of vitamins,minerals and other nutrients.

The reports authors also found a long-term decline in trace minerals inconventionally grown fruits and vegetables, most likely due to farmingpractices. In regard to public health concerns, feeding trials have shown thatgrowth, reproductive health and recovery rate improve in animals fed organicfeed.

The report concluded that more research is needed in this matter.