Not many generations ago, vegetable gardens were more common, even within urban areas. However, with shifting priorities, busy work schedules and the proliferation of grocery stores, more people choose to buy their vegetables. While vegetables at grocery stores have never looked better, due mainly to selection standards, lighting and waxing, the nutritional content is significantly lower. In addition to better nutrition, there are other advantages of growing and eating your own vegetables.
Higher Nutritional Content
All vegetables grown many generations ago were "organic," although the term was not used until large agricultural corporations began to grow a significant percentage of vegetables and more traditional farmers wanted to distinguish their produce. Organic farming generally infers more natural growing conditions, with richer soil and no artificial pesticides or fertilizers, although the legal definition is quite different. Regardless, many people believe that organically grown food has higher nutritional content because of better quality soil, but proof has been difficult to come by.
However, in 2009, the Quality Low Input Food study, sponsored by European Commission Research, was completed after five years and concluded the quality of crops from organic and conventional farming systems differs considerably. More specifically, the researchers stated that organic crops and vegetables contained more vitamins, antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids, while containing lower levels of heavy metals, mycotoxins and pesticide residues. On average, organic vegetables contain 40 percent more vitamins and antioxidants when compared to conventional, agri-business produced vegetables.
Fewer Health Hazards
As the Quality Low Input Food Study pointed out, conventionally produced vegetables contain more toxic substances because they absorb the chemical fertilizers and pesticides used to produce higher yields. Some of the chemicals are considered carcinogens and can lead to cancer. An advantage of growing your own vegetables is being able to amend the quality of your soil and whether or not you use any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. If you don't use any, then your fresh vegetables are much safer, as well as more nutritious.
Some people are also concerned with the potential health effects of eating genetically modified vegetables, and having your own garden gives you the freedom of choosing which types of seeds to use.
Fresher and Better Quality
Consuming vegetables soon after they are picked ensures that you will get all the vitamins and nutrients from them. Many vegetables and fruits are picked prematurely, before they are properly ripe, and treated chemically to extend shelf life. This process can decrease the nutritional content of the produce and reduce the taste, according to Carolyn D. Berdanier's "Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Metabolism." In addition, commercially grown vegetables are also selected for their high yields and uniform appearance, which also affects taste and quality. Organically grown vegetables are often non-uniform in shape and bigger when compared to their commercially grown counterparts.
More Economical
Depending on where you live and how many vegetables you consume, growing your own vegetable garden may save money. Grocery store vegetables are priced higher to cover their overhead costs, which includes spoilage. Growing you own garden can be more efficient and economical, especially if you can make your vegetables self-perpetuating by using the seeds from one growing season to plant vegetables for the next growing season.
References
- European Commission Research: Organic Food, Higher Quality, Lower Costs
- "Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Metabolism"; Carolyn D. Berdanier; 2009
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