If you're considering making the switch to organic vegetables, you're making a smart move for your health and for the environment. Although organic vegetables sometimes come with a higher price tag, Consumer Reports Health found that when it comes to certain kinds of vegetables, the benefits of organic vegetables more than made up for the increased cost. If you've been toying with the idea of making the switch to a healthier lifestyle, start by shopping for vegetables at organic sellers.
Better Nutrition
Eating organic vegetables gives you the equivalent of an extra serving of vegetables a day, according to HealthFinder.gov. Organic vegetables come with higher levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, which can be a big plus if you don't always get your recommended six to eight servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The difference is so significant that the Organic Center, an Oregon-based organization that promotes organic eating, says choosing organic vegetables over conventionally farmed ones has significant health benefits for most people, according to HealthFinder.gov.
Fewer Pesticides
You'll significantly reduce your exposure to pesticides if you opt for organic vegetables, especially when it comes to bell peppers, celery, potatoes and spinach, which consistently have higher levels of pesticides--even after they've been washed--when they are conventionally grown, according to Consumer Reports Health. Even trace amounts of pesticide can have negative effects on long-term health, especially for people whose immune systems are susceptible because of age, pregnancy or a compromised immune system.
Better for the Environment
Organic vegetables are part of a farming system that encourages biodiversity and sustainable farming practices, according to the American Dietetic Association. Because organic farmers emphasize sustainable farming, they work to improve soil quality and prevent soil erosion. Organic vegetables also thrive in small- to medium-sized farms, making it possible for non-corporate farmers to succeed, a fact that has benefits for the local economy as well as for the environment.
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