Organic vegetables: the benefits for us and for the environment

Organic, What Does It Mean?

In recent years, the organic food market has grown significantly. However, many of us are not familiar with what "organic" exactly means and why it is so beneficial to incorporate it into our diet.

Organic vegetables come from organic farming. This means that these foods do not contain pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or GMOs. Moreover, organic farming aims to develop farming methods that are in harmony with the environment. Eating organic food, therefore, has several benefits, both for our health and the environment.

For Human Health

Eating organic means choosing to limit exposure to pesticides and harmful chemicals. In organic farming, the use of synthetic chemicals like pesticides is prohibited. Pesticides can have serious consequences for our health. People who repeatedly absorb pesticides can develop long-term problems related to fertility, hormone balance, immune system, and more.

Furthermore, studies conducted during the BioNutriNet project show that consuming organic foods benefits our health. Frequent consumption would, among other things, reduce the risk of cancer by 25%.

For Preserving Our Soils and Water

Instead of using chemical fertilizers, organic vegetable farmers use compost and green manure, which are ideal for soil fertilization. Additionally, they use conventional or certified organic seeds rather than genetically modified seeds, which nourish and regenerate the soils. In organic farming, natural substances are used for food preservation, not synthetic preservatives. Lastly, the control of unwanted insects is achieved through biological control, not the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.

It is important to know that several other methods are used in this type of agriculture, focused on environmental respect. Since the emphasis is on "natural" rather than "chemical," there is no contamination of water or soil deterioration in organic farming. In contrast, industrial agriculture wastes and pollutes water by the infiltration of toxic products into soils and rivers, killing aquatic fauna and flora.

For Combating Climate Change

Eating organic vegetables helps in the fight against climate change. Let's remember that the emission of greenhouse gases is the main cause of climate change. In organic farming, greenhouse gas emissions are limited by using organic fertilizers that do not emit CO2 during production. This helps to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and, in turn, contributes to combating climate change.

Saying No to GMOs, a Danger to the Environment

The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in organic farming is extremely limited. In fact, their use is prohibited. Only minor accidental traces of GMOs are accepted in processed products. Genetically modified plants can crossbreed with other plants. Developed to resist everything, these plants become uncontrollable. These crops pose a risk to soils, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

In conclusion, we can see that consuming organic vegetables is not only good for our health but also beneficial for the environment. Paying attention to our health and our planet is definitely worth it!

You can visit our online shop to discover our various products from ethical and sustainable farms!

Sources used in writing this article:

Planète Zéro Déchet. 10 Serious Benefits of Eating Organic. Planète Zéro Déchet. https://planetezerodechet.fr/manger-bio-avantages-agriculture-biologique-environnement/

Québec Bio. Les Bienfaits. Québec Bio. https://quebecbio.com/bio/bienfaits.