Is organic produce really better? We ask the experts

ARTICLE

20 May 2021

5 mins read

Physical health Wellness

Organic produce may cost more, but does that actually make it better for you? We chat to AIA Vitality Ambassadors Marika Day and Tim Jarvis for their thoughts.

When things are more expensive, we often think they’re better in some way. However, when it comes to buying organic produce, that’s not necessarily the case.

But before we dig in too deep, what actually constitutes as ‘better’? Are organic fruit, veggies and meat better for you in a nutritional sense, or better for the planet?

Is organic healthier for us?

When we see two punnets of blueberries side-by-side on a shelf at the supermarket, and one is more than twice the cost of the other, it’s fairly natural to assume that the pricier punnet is going to be sweeter, or have higher antioxidant properties. Not so, according to accredited dietitian Marika Day.

“From a nutrition point of view, there are no more vitamins or minerals in organic produce,” she explains. “And from a budget perspective, organic fruits and veggies are a lot more expensive, and there’s often a lot less availability.”

Is organic healthier for the planet?

Conventional farming practices in Australia use vast amounts of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. While they can keep creepy crawlies from munching on fields full of broccoli and spinach, the chemical run off can be detrimental to the health of the planet.

“Pesticide and chemical-use is pretty much standard practice across most aspects of farming these days,” says environmental scientist Tim Jarvis. “These large amounts of super-phosphate fertilizers are not very good for the receiving environment. It gets washed off and ends up in waterways, where it can starve rivers of oxygen. You get algal blooms. It disrupts the whole ecosystem.”

Organic farming means that farmers use renewable resources, conserve energy, soil and water, and aren’t relying on synthetic chemicals and fertilizers to get the most out of their crops.

It also means that animals are raised and treated more humanely; chooks are free range, cows are allowed to graze in fields rather than kept in lots, and they’re not fed any growth-regulating drugs, like steroids or hormones.

So, should we be splurging on organic?

Yes and no. If you’re passionate about the environment and have more cash to splash on your groceries, then yes it’s a good option.

“If you can afford to buy organic produce, fantastic,” says Marika. “But it’s also important to make sure it’s locally grown. I would always suggest choosing locally grown fruits and veggies over organic produce that has been imported from overseas.”

Tim suggests shopping at your local farmers market can be a great solution.

“Being aware of how far your food has travelled is a really important factor,” he says. “Farmer’s markets, which often go hand-in-hand with organic farming, reduce some of the carbon emissions associated with producing food.”

But if you’re keen to make some healthy changes to your diet, simply eating more fruits, veggies and grains – regardless of whether or not they’re organic – is best. Ensuring you’re eating produce that’s in season is an important consideration as well.

“I would hate for somebody to feel they’re not being a healthy person because they can’t afford or don’t have access to organic produce,” says Marika.

Staff Writer

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

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Is organic produce *really* better? We ask the experts