We know that antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables boost our family’s immunity from inside. We know that these will strengthen us while we take protective measures whenever we need to go outside during health crises.
But what are the best kinds of immunity boosting produce? Studies, unsurprisingly, point to those that are organically farmed.
Defining organic food
Before anything else, how do we know what organic farming and organic food really are? Organic farming is a technique for growing fruits and vegetables without the use of synthetic substances.
These synthetic substances were once thought of as a boon, as they kill pests and yield huge volumes of produce. But with it comes problems related to the health of the farmers and consumers, the health of the soil and the health of the air, water and animals connected to the soil. Volumes decrease over time as pesticides damage the soil which takes decades to repair. To maintain the initial high yield, farmers resort to buying fertilizers. So the farmers end up with greater expenses, burying them in debt.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the fertilizer Roundup, has been declared a probable carcinogen by WHO and its maker is now facing thousands of lawsuits in Western countries.
This has revived interest in organically grown fruits and vegetables.
Consuming more of the good stuff
Organically grown fruits and vegetables contain 20-40% more antioxidants than conventionally grown food. This is according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Antioxidants of course, help prevent coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, especially in the older members of the family.
Avoiding what’s harmful or empty
The same study cited found that conventionally grown foods 4x more likely to contain pesticide residues, and 2x as likely to contain the toxic heavy metal cadmium.
Research from the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University indicated that crops that are fertilized with artificial substances tend to grow bigger and faster but lose their nutritional value.
Protecting your family’s health and our local food system
Choosing organically grown fruits and vegetables ensures that your family consumes more antioxidants and less harmful or empty substances. It also contributes to the livelihood of our local farmers who use natural substances like marigold to address pests and nourish the soil that nourishes the produce.
Check out our Kulay Pack to get a supply of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables that we have carefully assembled for you and your family. This, while supporting the livelihood of Filipino smallholder farmers through our Community Shared Agriculture.
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