Research Paper

Organic or not? Everyone wants to live a healthy life, but what if the food people are eating on a daily basis is actually hurting them more than they realize? People in America are trying to be more aware of what they eat because of a growing epidemic known as obesity. They are buying healthier foods and working out more, but it is not enough. People who buy vegetables, lean meats and other healthy choices are not eating what they should. Normal vegetables and meat from animals are packed with hormones and pesticides which cause many issues for the human body. People who choose organic fruits, vegetables, and meats are not only healthier because of their increase in vitamins, they are helping the earth and their own unborn babies. The produce and meats we eat today are not like they used to be. Parents are not feeding their children with good food like they were fed at one time. The United States produce has lower levels of vitamins and minerals than what was used fifty years ago. However, people can avoid getting less minerals by purchasing organic fruits, veggies, and meats. Donald R. Davis, a research associate with the Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas, Austin recently analyzed data that was collected fifty years ago on forty-three different fruits and vegetables. He gathered that the nutrients for six out of thirteen fruits and/or vegetables had declined in those fifty years (Ria, 3).
Another study was done in Britain between the 1930’s and the 1980’s which showed similar declines in minerals and nutritional values. This study found lower levels of calcium, magnesium, copper and sodium in vegetables, and of magnesium, iron, copper and potassium in fruit (Ria, 4). The industrialization of our farms over the years is a direct issue with our produce’s decline in nutritional values. We have substituted our farmer’s biodiversity and nature nutrients cycle with chemical fertilizers and pesticides (Ria, 4). All of this can be helped by

Cited: Hanne, T. (2010). Characteristics Associated with Organic Consumption During Pregnancy. BMC Public Health, Volume(10), Page 755-760. Ria, C. (2013). Organically Grown Food Provides Benefits. PLoS ONE, Volume(1), Page 1-4. zzxs