The idea that nature has its own inherent capacity for healing is fundamental to the practice of naturopathy. Consuming organic food brings one’s diet to a point of closest approximation to that of nature. At the College of Naturopathic Medicine, we educate our students that purchasing organic food is worth it in the long term for the following four reasons, despite the fact that there are times when it may be more difficult to make the decision to consume organic food:
Importance of Organic Food
1. Nutritional value
It is now common knowledge that consuming foods that are freshly prepared, organically grown, and little or not at all processed has greater nutritive value. On the road to greater wellbeing and vitality, one of the most important first steps is developing an awareness of nutrition’s role as the foundation of health and the curative potential of foods that are unprocessed and organic. When a person’s nutritional requirements are addressed and irritants are decreased, they may experience a dramatic improvement in their health. When we ingest pesticides and other potentially dangerous compounds that may be present in non-organic produce, our livers are forced to work more to reduce our toxic load. Eating organic food may help minimize the stress on our livers, which are forced to work harder to reduce our toxic load.
Also related article food comparison between organic and non-organic.
2. It’s the food that humans have evolved to consume.
Our bodies have evolved to use natural foods as a means of sustenance, nutrition, and to strengthen our immunity. Our intestinal microflora is a complex ecosystem that is essential for the efficient operation of both our digestive system and our immune system. Chemicals used for pest control and weed control, as well as genetic engineering, all have the potential to upset the delicate equilibrium that exists inside our digestive systems. There have been studies that point to possible connections between the health of our gut microflora and a variety of malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and even dementia. When enormous profits are at stake, research into the reasons is almost never without controversy, and it’s possible that hazards to consumers won’t be evaluated or reported. It is reasonable to assume that the health of our gastrointestinal tract has an effect on everything from our state of mind to our weight, which is why it is important to take care of it.
3. A focus on quality and freshness
Produce that is grown organically has a shorter journey from the farm to the consumer’s plate, which helps preserve not only the vitamin and mineral content of our food but also its flavor. As soon as produce is selected or chopped, its enzymes begin the process of decomposition, during which they feed on the product’s valuable nutrients. Not only does increasing the proportion of fresh produce in our diets make our meals more nutritious, but it also improves the flavor.
4. A planet in good physical shape
Taking a naturopathic approach to one’s health involves harnessing the power of nature in order to provide the human body with the greatest potential for growth and recovery. This extends far beyond the realm of food and includes everything we put into our bodies, from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Because maintaining a healthy ecosystem is of the utmost importance, we are vehemently in favor of reducing the number of pollutants in our environment, practicing environmentally responsible land management, and benefiting from the biological richness that organic farming can provide.
