Organic or Not? That is the question of the decade. If you personally buy organic answer this question, why? Is it because organic foods are "better nutritionally" for you OR do you buy them to reduce the possibility of pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria on your food?
If you eat organic foods because they are "better nutritionally" then you are wasting your money! "A study released in September in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that organic products have no significant nutritional advantage over conventional foods, even though consumers often pay more than them." This conclusion followed the review of over 200 studies published from 1960-2011.
Long term studies are yet to be done or completed showing the health benefits of eating a primarily organic diet to reduce the level of pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, one thing seems clearer and that is the fact that spending more money for nutrition is not needed. Conventionally grown foods produce the same nutritional value as organically grown foods.
If you are concerned with pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, you can spend your money wisely by purchasing organic versions of the highly contaminated fruits and vegetables in this "dirty dozen" list. These 12 fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide residues of the all fruits and vegetables:
Apples
Celery
Strawberries
Peaches
Nectarines (imported)
Spinach
Grapes
Sweet Bell Peppers
Potatoes
Blueberries
Lettuce
Kale/Collard Greens
