Choosing organic fruits is a great way to get the new year off to a healthier start. According to a 2007 Consumer Reports study, the benefits of organic fruits can be significant. If the cost has you worried--the Consumer Reports study found fruits and vegetables cost about 50 percent more on average in supermarkets than their commercially grown counterparts--keep in mind that you can reduce the price significantly by shopping for seasonal produce and spending your fruit budget at local farmers markets.
More Antioxidants
Fruits are a rich source of antioxidants, compounds that play a role in protecting the body against free radicals that can cause heart disease, cancer, autoimmune conditions and stroke. Organic fruits have double the antioxidant content of conventionally farmed fruits, according to researchers at the University of California at Davis. They found that organic berries had 58 percent more polyphenols--a specific type of antioxidant--than non-organic berries.
Fewer Pesticides
Organically grown fruits have less pesticide contamination than conventionally grown fruits, according to "Consumer Reports" magazine, which found in a 2007 study that some fruits maintained trace amounts of pesticide even after being washed. The worst offenders were apples, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, red raspberries and strawberries, leading Consumer Reports to recommend that shoppers always opt for the organic versions of these products.
More Vitamin C
Organic fruits have higher vitamin C levels than fruits that are conventionally grown, according to research published in "Nutrition Noteworthy" in 2005. Vitamin C helps protect your body against a host of potential health problems, including the common cold, cardiovascular disease, problems with the immune system, signs of aging and eye disease, making it one of the most essential vitamins for good health. The U.S. recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 75 to 90g for a typical adult. Since many people don't always get the recommended nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day, choosing organic produce that gives you more bang for your bite could be an easy way to increase the benefits of eating fruit in your daily diet.
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