Sunday, April 5, 2009

Why Organic Popularity Keeps Growing

By Andrea Kristi

Organic is everywhere these days. Advertisers, merchants and entrepreneurs smelled a profitable and growing niche and diligently started to promote all sorts of organic products. The market is getting filled with organic produce, clothing, coffee, and even organic dog food. But do we really need organic as much as the advertisers are trying to convince us? Well, lets take a look.

The term "organic" is often used to describe the way agricultural fibers and foods are grown, cared for, and processed. Organic meat products and dairy products come from animals that are fed organic foods and are not treated with any antibiotics or hormones during their lives. Produce that is sold as organic comes from seeds and plants that have never had any chemicals or pesticides used on them.

Many of the chemical and pesticide products that are used on non-organic items pose risks to humans and animals alike. Many people will develop allergies to these chemical products without ever realizing it. This can result in thousands of dollars on doctor bills or medications, yet they unknowingly continue to consume the products that they are allergic to.

Organic juices and baked goods contain fewer ingredients than non-organic options. Organic items contain fewer preservatives than non-organic foods. I know not everyone feels this way, but I don't like putting anything in my body that I cannot pronounce. If you haven't yet taken a look at food labels, I highly recommend it. Then, research ingredients with strange names and what the potential problems associated with these products can be. The results will surprise you and likely help you see why organic popularity is increasing.

Another benefit of organic products is that they are better for the environment. Organic farming means less toxic chemicals are released into the ground. With problems like global warming, air pollution, and water pollutions, buying organic can help with these problems.

People who enjoy organic fruits and vegetables in their diet often remark that their food tastes better than non-organic. While taste is subjective, I think most people agree that chemicals and preservatives don't taste good. If you have never had the chance to taste an organic apple, buy one and taste the difference. You likely will never want to buy a conventionally grown apple ever again.

Organic food is also higher in vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants, making it a more nutritious alternative to the foods that are conventionally grown.

Everyone should try to buy organic products to better protect our health and the earth. If you don't want to spend the extra money for organic products, or put extra efforts into finding affordable organic items, consider the long-term benefits. They far outweigh the short-term costs, and your investment will pay off in the end.

Actually, organic doesnt have to mean expensive. There are many ways to get organic food cheap, so if you know how and where to shop, buying organic may actually save you money. Also, there are some conventional fruits and vegetables, which have very low pesticide levels and therefore are not too bad for your health. So there is no need to buy everything organic, although it wouldnt hurt. - 14130

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