Seeker wrote:I once read a report about organic oranges don't contain as much nutrient content as inorganic ones.
Most of the material I come across on this topic usually states the exact opposite. Keep in mind this is not just online sources and newspaper articles, where interests are often not as clear. Medical and agricultural journals/periodicals and studies conducted at major universities in the US, UK, and EU show a clear trend that not only are organic foods better for you because of the lack/reduction of pesticides, chemicals, and hormones; they also have higher nutritional value.
It is very important how a study breaks down its definition of nutrient content. Some studies simply measure levels of specific vitamins and minerals, while omitting others. Vitamins and minerals (macro nutrients) are only a piece of the picture.(There still seems to be generally a slightly higher/higher level of these nutrients in organic vs conventional produce though). Those studies that also measure antioxidants and phytonutrients (sometimes categorized as micro nutrients) point towards organic foods being superior.
Without pesticides the plants naturally produce more phytochemicals to defend against insects. Phytochemicals such as the different types of flavonoids found in tea!
Nutrients aside, its become pretty common knowledge that a lot of the chemicals/pesticides etc etc used in conventional farming are bad for you. These methods often don't hold well for the soil and surrounding ecology either.
For me personally they seem too far away from what food should be. The crops lack a balance with the natural ways/processes of the earth, instead taking shortcuts to reap short term rewards. I eat organic as often as I can, usually when I cook at home, but I also eat out a lot, and that's not organic, and usually pretty rich unhealthy food too. Somethings just taste too good not to eat!
Sencha seems so much easier to gauge value.
