Organic Food: More Nutritious

The Quality Low Input Food project, the biggest of its kind, took a 725-acre farm in north-east England, grew conventional produce (like cabbage, lettuce, potatoes and what) next to organic produce, and compared the results.

The biggest contrast was found for milk. The study found that levels of antioxidants in milk from organic cattle were between 50% and 80% higher than conventional milk (60% to 80% more nutrients in the summer than conventional milk, and 50% to 60% more in the winter). Organic milk also has higher levels of vitamin E, and 60 percent more antioxidants and desirable fatty acids. Antioxidants help with a healthy circulatory system and help keep cancer and heart disease away.

Other highlights:

1. Fruit and vegetables contain up to 40% more nutrients if they are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
2. Up to 40% more antioxidants could be found in organic fruit and vegetables than in those conventionally farmed.
3. Potatoes, kiwi fruit and carrots were among the organic produce found to be higher in vitamin C.
4. Higher levels of minerals and antioxidants were found in organically- farmed lettuce, spinach and cabbage. Organic spinach and cabbage have more minerals.
5. Organic produce also had higher levels of iron and zinc, vital nutrients lacking in many people's diets.
6. Organic cheese can have up to twice as many nutrients than conventional varieties.
7. Organic tomatoes, wheat, potatoes, cabbage, onions and wheat have 20 to 40 per cent more antioxidants than conventional fruit and vegetables.

Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu are the authors of The Complete Organic Pregnancy.