Certified organic packaged foods offer healthier profile with fewer processed ingredients linked to disease

When it comes to processed packaged foods, does it pay to purchase organic? A new peer-reviewed study by Environmental Working Group says it does. The study analyzed over 80,000 foods—8,240 organic and 72,205 conventional—and discovered fewer ingredients in organic products linked to negative health impacts.

Packaged foods comprise over 60% of calories consumed in the U.S., including processed ingredients and additives such as sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. Organic packaged foods contain fewer of those along with more potassium, a heart-healthy nutrient in vegetables, fruits, and other minimally or unprocessed items. While organic foods are associated with lower risk of some cancers, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, highly processed foods increase risk of depression, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. With obesity rates (including childhood obesity) rising to alarming numbers in the U.S., the country would do well to cut down on processed foods.

Nearly three-fourths of U.S. packaged foods and beverages in 2018 were ultra-processed, providing a significant portion of calories for children ages two to 19. EWG advises limiting consumption of ultra-processed foods (organic or not), as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil have done.

Source: EWG

To view source article, visit: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2021/09/study-certified-organic-packaged-foods-contain-fewer-ingredients-linked

Organic & Non-GMO Insights October 2021