The Benefits of Organic Foods


Written by: Taylor Morrison, Wellness Communications Intern, B.Sc. NANS

If you’ve been to a grocery store or market recently, you’ve most likely seen the rise in organic labels. Everything from produce to cotton candy is now classified as organic. But what does this really mean?

Organic agriculture is a holistic system built on principles that focus on environmental protection, soil fertility, and biodiversity, while avoiding the use of pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Organic foods are definitely increasing in demand. People want safe and healthy food, but are organic foods really more safe and healthy compared to conventional products?

Studies have found that organic fruits and vegetables have higher levels of antioxidant phytonutrients as compared to conventional produce. This is mainly due to the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in conventional agriculture that drive plants to focus more on growth rather than increasing their antioxidant defense chemicals and anti-cancer compounds. Since organic fruits and vegetables have higher levels of these compounds, lab studies show that organic produce can suppress cancer cell growth better than conventional produce.

Most importantly, organic produce contains lower levels of pesticides, meaning that when you eat organic, you have lower pesticide levels in your body as well. Pesticides have been classified as probable human carcinogens, damaging DNA and altering gene expression, so the lower levels the better. Along with this, organic produce contains lower levels of heavy metals, which is beneficial for keeping our bodies free of toxins and working to their full potential.

These facts are the reason behind our commitment to providing Canadians with organic açaí that is free from pesticides and bursting with antioxidants.  Our açaí is wild harvested and handpicked by local farmers, and transferred by river to a market. It is then purchased, puréed,  pasteurized, and then frozen within 24 hours of being picked in order to preserve all of the antioxidants and ensure superior quality.

Açaí is a sustainable forestry resource of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. Therefore, the cultivation of these fruits helps to preserve the Rainforest that is so vulnerable right now.

Buying our organic açaí supports our own health, but it also supports the health of the Amazon Rainforest, the welfare of local farming communities who harvest our fruits, and the overall growth of the global organic industry.

So next time you have the option of choosing organic, maybe you’ll think twice, look beyond the label, and consider all of the wonderful benefits that come with the organic choice. When possible, choose health, choose sustainability, choose good practice, choose organic.

It is important to note that the differences in antioxidants and pesticides between conventional and organic produce is an added benefit of organic produce consumption. So don’t let pesticides stop you from consuming a diet rich in all kinds of fruits and vegetables, whether they are organic or conventional!