Faced with countless reports about processed foods, the impact of chemicals on your body, or the way unsustainable agriculture hurts the planet, you may often feel overwhelmed and powerless. How are you supposed to know what’s best for you, how to be a good citizen of the Earth, and who to trust for the most accurate information?

We don’t claim to have all the answers because no one does. Here at Organic Voices, we promise that we rely on scientific information confirmed by many reputable sources, and that we are on a learning journey too. The organic space is constantly innovating and improving with the mission of producing food and products that are good for your body, produced with farm worker and animal welfare in mind, and good for the planet and all of life that calls it home.

The truth is that organic is the most intensely regulated food system in the United States. Organic producers are thoroughly vetted, and organic food and farming is time and time again proven to have extensive benefits.

So in the midst of the turmoil gripping our world, let’s take a moment to exhale and celebrate organic producers and products by applauding some of organic’s biggest benefits.

No toxic, harmful chemicals

Organic products are made from ingredients grown with:

• No synthetic colors
• No synthetic fertilizers
• No synthetic pesticides
• No growth hormones
• No chemical preservatives
• No antibiotics
• No GMOs
• No artificial flavors

Plenty of research shows the alarming effects that these substances can have on the human body and on nature, like higher risks of cancer or chronic diseases.(examples: 1, 2, 3) Their absence in organic food means that you can rest assured you are avoiding toxic chemicals and know exactly what you are bringing into your home and putting into your body.

In harmony with nature

Organic farms are deeply mindful of how much people depend on nature, and their farming practices need to help restore not deplete it. They use approaches like crop rotation, composting, natural fertilizers and natural ways to deal with pests. These strategies mean that organic farms work with nature, not against it. They help nature regenerate, fight climate change, and provide a solid way to transform agriculture into something that helps the planet thrive.

Nutritious value and health benefits

Where conventionally farmed products can contain chemicals that increase your chances of poor health, research shows that organic food can have higher nutritious value in several categories. For example, organic foods can be higher in antioxidants and vitamin C, iron and magnesium, while organic meats can have more of the beneficial kind of fatty acids and less of the harmful kind. Organic dairy is richer in omega-3, and a recent study also showed that an organic diet can decrease the risk of memory-related conditions like dementia in women.

Beyond these three major benefits of organic products, we can also applaud the way organic producers take better care of their animals and create better, fairer working conditions for their employees. Here’s to organic – a food system you can trust!