Healthy Living Natural Foods

Organic foodood has become very popular. But navigating the maze of organic food labels, benefits, and claims can be confusing. Is organic food really healthier? Is it more nutritious? What do all the labels mean? Why is it so expensive? This guide can help you make better choices about which organic foods are healthier for you and better for the environment, and how you can afford to incorporate more organic food into your diet.

What does “organic” mean?

Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. This brings up the questions: What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is “organic” always best? What about locally grown foods?

The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Specific requirements must be met and maintained in order for products to be labeled as "organic".

Organic crops must be grown in safe soil, have no modifications, and must remain separate from conventional products. Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers.

These days everything seems to be going organic -- from broccoli to cereal to meat, even pet products. In fact, a recent survey found that 55 per cent of Canadians eat organic foods.

"Organic basically means that a food is grown or processed without the use of genetic engineering, no synthetic or artificial fertilizers, no pesticides, no antibiotics, no growth regulators, no preservatives or dyes," explains nutritionist Leslie Beck. "And when we talk about organic meat and poultry, those graze on certified organic fields and also they're given no antibiotics or growth hormones to speed up growth. These are really foods that have a lower level of trace chemical residues."

But can you be assured that a food claiming to be organic really fits the bill?

There is a noticeable price difference between organic and non-organic foods. So what are the benefits of eating organic?

According to Beck, there are a lot of people who simply say organic food tastes better, so it's worth the extra cost to them.

"There's a little bit of research now to show that organically grown produce may have higher levels of magnesium, vitamin C and important antioxidants called flavonoids, which may help reduce the risk of disease," Beck says.

"I think really people are going to organic foods because of the concern about pesticide residues that linger on the surface, especially on fruits and vegetables, and they may increase health problems. There's no research whatsoever (to support this). In fact, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, in 1997, reviewed all the studies and concluded that conventionally grown fruits and vegetables did not increase the risk of cancer. Plus, we know that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables every day protects us from cancer."

Measures such as washing and peeling all produce before serving it, buying only domestically grown produce rather than imported, buying from local farmers’ markets, and participating in a community garden using organic farming methods can reduce the risk.

Keep in mind, however, that locally grown produce is not always pesticide-free, so look for a label that states that it is organic to minimize pesticide content. If you live in an agricultural area and drink well water, testing it for pesticide content may be helpful as well.

Even if pesticides are present, they are often not the major environmental threat to children’s health that they once were because of advances in pest management that have lowered that risk considerably. For example, substances that disrupt the growth only of a certain insect that can attack a crop but not harm humans in the process are used in some situations.

Another approach is the use of a particular pheromone (a chemical secreted by animals) that disrupts the mating of some insects. Breeding plants that resist diseases and careful monitoring of residues in soil before planting have also contributed to a reduction in risk.

Organic Foods: Make the Price Worth....?

Many people prefer to buy organic produce and meat out of concerns for their health and the environment. Purchasers generally assume that foods marketed as organic have been grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and have not been treated with antibiotics, hormones, or synthetic additives such as dyes and preservatives.

Even foods raised organically, however, may contain pesticides and other contaminants carried by wind, water, or soil residues. In addition, while free of certain contaminants, organic products are not necessarily more nutritious or more flavorful than other foods. Retailers generally demand higher prices for organic foods, but such produce may spoil faster because it is not treated against insects and bacteria.

ORGANIC INDIA LAUNCHES New Products :

Triphala Powder 100 Gm

Triphala is one of the most famous ayurvedicl herbal formulations. Triphala literally means “three fruits”. The three fruits contained in triphala are Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Triphala is tridoshic--equally balancing for Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Triphala   is a powerful rejuvenating and  detoxify-ing   formulation that cleanses   the colon and supports the entire GI tract, improving digestion, assimilation  of nutrients and elimination.  Triphala  helps to remove fat deposits and toxins from the intestines.   Triphala   is rich in natural Vitamin C and abundant in antioxidants.-it is useful for all skin types. Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, which is necessary to keep skin supple and thick.

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It contains Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Folic acid, Vitamin, E , Vitamin K, Calcium , Iron and Chlorophyll.  All these nutrients are available in their natural forms and naturally acceptable to the body.