Organic Food Contains More Phenolics, Antioxidants

Organic Food Contains More Phenolics, Antioxidants

WASHINGTON--Researchers from the University ofCalifornia reported recently that fruits grown organically or sustainablycontain more ascorbic acid and phenolics than conventionally grown foods,according to an article in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry(51, 5:1237-41, 2003). The total phenolic content of corn, strawberries andmarionberries grown by organic, sustainable and conventional methods weremeasured and compared. Statistically higher levels of phenolic content werefound in the organic and sustainably grown plants over the conventionally grownplants. Additionally, the team found freeze-drying consistently preserved thehighest levels of phenolic content over freezing or air-drying.