Get 70 percent more nutrition with one simple change

Dear Reader, On Tuesday, I explained the difference between "local" and "organic." And I gave you a few tips on how to make sure you're really getting the most nutrition for your money when you buy organic foods. Because no matter what some "experts" would like you to believe, organic foods are inherently more nutritious. In fact, brand new research shows that organic crops and foods contain up to 69 percent more antioxidants than conventional crops grown with pesticides. So we're talking about nearly 70 percent more disease-fighting power. When just a little while ago, researchers shouted the exact opposite from the rooftops. Insisting that organic and conventional produce are nutritional equals and that we should all just save our money. Typical, isn't it? And this latest study is huge. A team of UK researchers reviewed data from over 300 studies examining the differences between organic and conventionally grown crops. And they found that the antioxidant boost you get from switching to organic products could be the equivalent of eating one or two extra servings of fruit and veggies every day. Just by going organic. But that's not all. You could also significantly reduce your exposure to nitrates, nitrites, and toxic heavy metals--like lead, mercury, and cadmium. And this is something almost every nutritional study on conventional vs. organic tends to ignore. You see, those pesticides and herbicides that literally coat our food and dig their way into its DNA are riddled with heavy metals. And as I've mentioned here before, that can lead to some pretty serious conditions--like Alzheimer's and even heart disease. But these researchers found that when you eat organic, you are slashing your exposure to heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals. You also increasing your intake of antioxidants like polyphenols--the same phytochemicals that mop up dangerous free radicals and fend off diseases like cancer--by as much as 69 percent. So you really have to wonder why this study didn't make worldwide news when it came out a few weeks ago. Yet the drivel that came before it stole headlines left and right. Well, I take that back. You and I both know exactly why. Big agribusiness has such a shameful stranglehold on our society at this point that you won't ever hear both sides of the "conventional vs. organic" argument. Unless you actively go looking for it. The naysayers will continue to insist that eating organic won't influence your health. But the evidence here is crystal clear that organic produce does indeed provide superior nutrition. I could go on and on about this topic. But for now, let me leave you with my hard and fast rule of thumb. First, always buy local. Fresh, local food is packed with live enzymes you won't find in food that's spent weeks in crates being shipped across the country. Second, always buy local and organic whenever you can. Like I explained yesterday, the two aren't the same. But with patience and a few good questions, you can likely find a nearby source that offers the best of both worlds. Until next time, Dr. Fred Source: "Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses." Br J Nutr. 2014 Jun 26:1-18.