Final Project- Yay!

Chelsea Jeremy

ENG 132
Winter 2012

Abstract

While numbers of obesity are the highest they have ever been in the United States, there are many people looking for a change. One answer they are finding is eating organic or changing their lifestyle into a more sincere environmental outlook. With this growing trend of going “all natural” or organic, some might question the legitimacy of the economic costs that doing this will require. Due to the significant amount of benefits that ensue from a healthier diet, it is clear that the advantages will outweigh the economic drawbacks. This paper will demonstrate how the current inclination of eating healthy will remain widespread due to various medical, social and environmental causes.

Literature Review

Throughout the last twenty years, the sales and practices of the organic food movement have been consistently increasing. A study published in the Journal of Food Science explained that “organic sales have increased by nearly 20% annually since 1990, with consumer sales reaching 13.8 in 2005.” (Winter & Davis, 2006) Like any new trend, it makes you wonder, “What is making it so popular and will it actually stick around”?

An obvious answer to its popularity is the national epidemic of overweight Americans. A dietitian from New York explains why not enough people are taking advantage of an organic diet, “With the U.S. ranking as the fattest country in the world and therefore home to most of the world’s weight conscious, I’ve often marveled over the fact that the emerging green food movement is never touted as a diet—even though the planet-friendly food choices we make are often the most waistline-friendly” (Root, 2009). The author then begins to explain how to make healthier choices such as shopping at unconventional farmers markets, satisfying super foods, and even tips to become more eco-friendly without much effort at all. She also explains how each of these tips can help lose weight (Root, 2009).  Dr. John Salerno recommends eating organic to weight loss patients. He tells his patients that to have a healthy, sustainable diet, they must provide their bodies with the most amount of nutrients, mineral and vitamins that they can. If someone is feeding themselves with processed foods, they are not receiving these nutrients.

Other, more food conscious eaters might lean toward organic eating as a way to avoid harmful pesticides. Two studies,  from the University of Wisconsin and the University of California, proved organic foods actually are healthier, “Research is showing that when the body—especially organs like the liver—get overwhelmed with toxic matter, it becomes more difficult to shed pounds”(Kepner) . Many pesticides and fertilizers that are grown or placed in conventional, processed foods are fat-soluble. Therefore, these foods are able to absorb the pesticides and other unwanted agents and build inside your body.  (Root, 2009) Not only to organic foods not contain harmful products but they also have more nutrients such as natural antioxidants, which help fight heart disease and lung cancer (Kepner, 2003). Organic foods are furthermore not genetically modified. This means that their products have not been altered to enhance their purpose. Genetically modified agents are prohibited in any organic product as stated in the USDA’s qualifications (Organic Consumer Association).

If health care and environmental outlook isn’t enough, there is another organic benefit that is sliding into homes across the globe. The cause of good reputation for this nutritional trend is its ability to pose as an alternative to home remedies. This is also being known as Herbal Medicine. The University of Maryland’s Medical Center believes “that Herbal medicine is used to treat many conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer, among others” (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2011). Herbal medicine proves as a safer, alternative medicine. The herbs that are being used can be combined to have a greater effect with a much smaller side effect list (University of Maryland Medical Center).  Not only are organic foods available to cure you through a practicing holistic doctor, they are also available as easy home remedies. For example, eucalyptus is helpful for congestion, garlic is beneficial to the immune system and peppermint is effective for treating indigestion problems (Langford, 2010).

With a wide assortment of beneficial reasons to eat all natural, why would anyone choose not to? The most common answer is because of the cost. It is true that usually organic foods are more expensive than the conventional foods. In one survey, “the main reasons consumers purchased organic foods were for the avoidance of pesticides, for freshness, for health and nutrition and to avoid genetically modified foods. Such consumers appear to be willing to pay the typical 10% to 40% price premium that organic products command” (Winter & Davis, 2006)  However, it does not mean that everyone has to be willing to pay that extra. Maria Rodale, CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc., submits her advice on how to shop smart when buying organic. She offers great tips on the best places and ways to go grocery shopping, how to compare products, and the best recipes that a newly organic eater can enjoy. (Rodale).

For the last couple decades, there have been many skeptics to the nutrients and environmental benefits that buying organic can produce. However, due to the various advantages that a healthier, greener lifestyle has on individuals and the community, the trend of eating organic will withstand. Charles Benbrook states in EcoFarm “For reasons beyond the control of the organic community, there is now a raging food safety, food quality debate underway around the world. It is focusing on the impacts of different farming systems and technologies – conventional farming versus biotech versus IPM versus organic. There are profound differences between the principles driving today’s GE applications in agriculture versus the principles underlying organic farming. The sooner the public understands these differences and decides which set of principles should shape their food future, the sooner the country can progress toward more coherent national food, farm, and technology policies.” (Benbrook, 2003) Benbrook expresses that once the population is made more aware of the consequences of the actions that they are taking, they will see that an organic lifestyle will triumph (Benbrook).

Research Analysis

Throughout the many decades of personal care, there have been many trends to come and go. Diets, home remedies and helpful do-it-yourself tips have found their way into our homes and only a few are there to stay. Since we live in a society with new inventions and ideas being created every day, how do we know which of our favorite trends will withstand? Many wholesome eaters are wondering this about their organic products. Will the demand for organic products that has been increasing since the 1970’s continue or will it be another trend to fall off the map? Due to the amount of significant benefits that ensure from eating healthy, it is clear that the current inclination of eating healthy will remain widespread due to a more nutritious reputation, developments in modern day health problems and improvement to the environment.

            One of the biggest debate topics that revolve around organic eating is if organic products have more nutrients in them. Multiple studies have been conducted to show that organic foods contain more pure nutrients in them. A study produced by the University of Wisconsin and a separate study by the University of California showed identical information that they are more nutritious. They stated that the products they tested (including berries, fruits, vegetables and potatoes) “contained on average 58% more naturally occurring antioxidants” (Kepner). These antioxidants can help with heart disease, cancer and digestive problems. The products that they tested, that were certified organic by the United Stated Department of Agriculture, also had higher levels of ascorbic acid, which the body readily converts to vitamin C. These are nutrients that the body can use in a more natural, easily accessible way.

            In 2007, a United Kingdom study was released stating that they have evidential proof that organic food was no more or less nutritious than conventional food was. This gave rise for many anti-organic individuals to join the debate. It was later announced that the experiment was unreliable. When confronted about the misleading study, Gary Hirshberg, the C.E.O and President of Stonyfield Farm, commented that “I agree with the Organic Center (TOC), a non-profit industry think tank, that the authors of the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency (FSA) study used old data and flawed logic in reaching the conclusion that organic food is no healthier than conventional. TOC alleges that the UK study actually downplayed the positive findings which favored organic food and did not measure important nutrients such as antioxidants. There are compelling studies that have shown organic foods higher in beneficial antioxidants, substances or nutrients in our foods known to slow or prevent heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer… the study concluded organic fruit and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants than non-organic varieties; organic milk contained more than 60% more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids than conventional. A 2007 study by the University of California found organic tomatoes had elevated levels of up to 97% of two types of antioxidants.” (Hirshberg). The study was later discredited, however, many debaters still used this deceptive analysis for the support of their claim against organic products.

               Doctors are also recommending organic products to their patients for their nutrients. Dr. John Salerno suggests organic foods to his patients by explaining that if a patient wants to eat healthier, they must start where the most nutrients are. His answer is the dirt. To have healthy dirt, there must not be any pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals additives.  With these harmful seasonings “the results are food products with empty calories, unknown long term health effects, and almost certain capacity for making people fat”. (Salerno) He shows his patients what they put inside their bodies is important, everything should contain products they need, that will sustain them. Many foods today are filled with ingredients that are doing more harm than good. Organic foods are a solution to a more fulfilled regimen.

Dr. Salerno also recommends these products to patients looking to lose weight. With a national epidemic of obesity occurring, sustaining natural foods provide a positive solution. A complication that he often runs into is that people generally think of eating organic as a diet instead of a lifestyle change. Dr. Salerno states that “Generally patients who view eating healthier as a diet, instead of as a change in routine choice, will end up seeing fewer results. Patients will view a diet as something that they can conclude once they reach their desired weight. However, a change in routine puts them in the mindset to make a healthier choice every day.” (Salerno) Successful individuals making a jump into a more natural lifestyle will accomplish more if they consider their move as a positive, healthy choice instead of a diet, which fails quite often.

Individuals will argue this point because they would rather take a medication, cut out a food group or attempt a diet than making a change to their everyday life routine. However, when Brett Blumenthal was confronted on a healthy breakfast choice he made, he insisted that “if you are already healthy and want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to continue to eat right.  Regardless of your weight, you should always choose healthy food if you want to look and feel your best.  Dieting is old news now.  The idea isn’t to cut calories; it is to replace processed and un-nutritious foods with quality food that provides you with good nutrients and substance”. (Blumenthal) Many people who decided to make the choice to start making healthier choices in their life will continue to do so. It is infrequent that someone will decide that the benefits that your body gains from healthier choices are not worth the little extra effort.

Another factor that helps people stay with organic food trend is the multiple home remedies that are available with organically grown products. These home remedies have branched off a practice of medicine called Holistic Medicine. Holistic doctors believe in a natural approach to health care. Holistic care is being used to treat cancer, asthma, premenstrual syndrome and migraines along with many others. They use many herbs and natural products to provide a safer alternative to medications. Generally, these products are able to help the symptoms with a much smaller side effects list (University of Maryland Medical Center). With great evidence of how these natural products helped many medical diseases, it is not surprising that they started showing up as home remedies. For example, simple foods such as garlic, eucalyptus, and peppermint are being used in homes to health treat indigestion, congestion and immune system difficulties. (Langford) It is also believed that when a person consciously makes a healthier decision, it has a direct correlation with brain’s ability to release endorphins. Therefore, making them feel happier and more satisfied (University of Maryland Medical Center).

Some might disagree with Holistic medicine; calling is “quack medicine” or unpredictable. However, with Holistic Medicine (also called Herbal, Alternative or Naturopathic Medicine) schools showing up in every medical school and state in the United States, it is obvious that these practices are credible with a wide audience and fan base behind them. Others might be opposed to home remedies because they would rather take a medication that was designed for their symptom than an taking an herbal supplement. This alternative offers those suffering a safer, more affordable solution to unfortunate situations.

Organic products are appealing to an audience wider than just doctors and do-it-yourself mothers. Organic products have a large following of environmentalists. Organic products, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, “are produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used” (U.S. Department of Agriculture). This ensures that any product that has the U.S.D.A label of organic is certifying that their products are made by these standards. These standards allow us, as consumers to be able to have foods that are in a purer form. Foods that are made from natural products, instead of processed foods, permit the consumption of a more nutritious meal without the empty calories that were previously discussed.

Finally the largest dispute for having an organic lifestyle is the cost of the products. It is true that there are other food products that would save the consumer more money. Many of the followers believe “You get what you pay for”. Simply that if you buy a processed, packaged bag of potato chips at the supermarket, the amount of vitamins and supplements that you’re going to receive is going to be low. In contrary if you were to shop at a local farmer’s market and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, you would have a much better chance at finding foods that will help sustain your body.

Fortunately, just because they happen to be more expensive, does not mean that one must spend too much on them. There are plenty of websites, books and blogs that are available to help organic food enthusiasts save some money. For example, Maria Rodale, C.E.O and Chairmen of Rodale Inc., gives several tips to help buyers on a budget when grocery shopping. She offers great tips such as “Making it from Scratch- Most of what people waste money on is alleged convenience, a.k.a. processed, overly salted, and overly marketed food with excess packaging. Most things we buy in processed form are fairly easy to make from scratch with a good, simple recipe” (Rodale, 2012). She also proposes that making meats, poultry or fish as a side dish instead of the main dish will help the budget. Most people buying too much and wasting what they have. So if you supply more side dishes, which generally cost much less, you will profit you pocket later (Rodale). Shopping at local farmer’s markets also stimulates the economy by keeping money in local businesses to help them thrive.

There have been many trends to come and go over the years. Some were successful, like exercising, while others, such as fad diets or work out videos, were not. Due to the various effects organic products have on society; individual health, the environment and the economy. It is a plausible belief that organic foods and products will continue to make an impact on the way we live day to day and the knowledge of what we put into our bodies.

*Please reference the Annotated Bibliography Page on the right side for citations.