Gloria Garcia

Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14
Research Report: Organic vs. Conventional Food

Organic food means making a commitment with healthy eating habits and it is the
perfect start towards having a healthier life. How foods are grown can have an impact in
our health but also in the environment. The term organic means the way that
agricultural products are grown and processed. Organic products have their own specific
requirements that they must maintain in order to have the result of what we know as
organic. Organic crops are grown in safe soil; they do not have any modifications.
Instead or using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, the organic farmers always rely on the
biological diversity to reduce the pest organisms, farmers cannot use petroleum-bases
fertilizers. According to the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) says that the goal of
organic farming and foods is to integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices
that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Many people are not aware of all the benefits organic products have. According to
the article Organic food and impact on human health: Assessing the status quo and
prospects of research by M.Huber, D. Srednicka.. .Organic food contains higher quantity
of antioxidants and they can create a positive impact on the health of the people. They
contain at least 50% more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. There are plenty of health
benefits for organic food such as preventing allergies, heart disease, and problem with the
vision, premature aging, cognitive malfunction and even some types of cancer, last but
not least organic food are lower in fat and they can help prevent and even fight obesity.
Recent studies also determined that choosing organic food can help to increase the intake
of nutritionally antioxidants and can reduce exposure to toxic heavy metals.
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Gloria Garcia
Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14

It is better to eat organic products since there is no use of pesticides in production.

Pesticides are the chemicals that are used to repel, destroy and prevent insects, mice, or
even microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Pesticides matter since they can cause
developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and motor dysfunction can be caused in
children. Pregnant women seem to be more vulnerable to pesticides and these can be
passed from mother to child in the womb, and breast milk.
Organic food growers and dairy farmers do not use antibiotics in their processes
they are grown with natural fertilizers such as compost, insects are being controlled
naturally using traps, birds, and good insects, weeds are controlled in a natural way by
crop rotation, tilling and mulching. Organic products are often fresher they do not contain
any preservatives which make them last longer since they are produced on smaller farms
near the place where they are sold. Organic farming helps reduce the pollution in the air
since they can help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions, they conserve water and reduce
soil ersion and they reduce the energy that is being used. Farming without the use of
pesticides is better for the birds who are near the farms. Organic farming gives more
space to animals for them to move around by letting them access to the outdoors, which
help keep the animals healthier.

There are many foods that are causing, disease, illness and the main reason is the
food we eat. Foods with high levels of pesticides and many other toxins are slowly killing
our immune system since it is making them weaker. There are many negative
consequences of choosing eating conventional food since they are grown with pesticides,
synthetic and they use insecticides, which are used to manage pests and disease, weeds

Gloria Garcia
Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14

are controlled with chemical herbicides. Conventional foods can cause higher levels of
obesity since they contain some kind of chemicals and artificial hormones. Conventional
foods also contain higher levels of toxins; they also may contain toxic metals such as
cadmium, lead, and mercury. Heavy metals can cause the block of hemoglobin
production leading to anemia. You may pay less for conventional food but it is important
to take into account that they can have a damaging effects on the environment and
humans health, organic food turns out to be less expensive. It is also important to be
aware and remember that the effects of some of the chemicals that are found in
conventional foods in the long term remain unkown.

According to Naoufel Mzoughi in his article: Do organic farmers feel happier

than conventional ones? An exploratory analysis, a survey questioner was sent to 638
organic farmers between April and May 201. Farmers were having almost the same
characteristics such as their age was 52 years, 55% of them are individual farms and their
farm size is about 26ha. This same questioner was sent to 638 conventional farmers to
compare the results and prove that organic farmers have a better life. People who
consume in a more environmental-friendly manner can raise their satisfaction levels.
Organic farming can be related to a higher subjective well-being. Previous research
shows that every organic farmer tries to make their practices rational with their vision of
life. Farmers can feel more stable with their personal convictions that translate into a
higher satisfaction by using only organic techniques. Farmers agree that they are able to
get a social approval by improving their relationships with third parties. By this they
mean that farmers experience satisfaction increased by the status and prestige benefits

Gloria Garcia
Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14

they might get from pro-environmental activities since organic farming brings a green
image which is very different to the image of the farmer-polluter. Organic farmers
increase satisfaction because of the potential status and prestige benefits that comes from
the pro-environmental activities. It has been proved that organic farming has a favor into
autonomy, which can increase life satisfaction. Also people may feel better if the
environment is less polluted. Given that organic farmings mainly intention is to improve
the environmental performance of where the farm is, this causes farmers to feel more
satisfied by envolving in environmental areas.
It is more likely for individuals to feel more satisfied with their lives if they have good
health, since having an illness prevents any individual to perform certain activities.
Farmers were asked to estimate their levels of health on a scale from 1 being very bad
and 10 being very good. Social relationships such as having friends and neighbors brings
happiness, by this is that having good relations is ley for people to feel more satisfied
with their lives. Farmers were asked to tell how is it their relationship with their farmers
neighbors. Level of life satisfaction is determined by individual characteristics such as
gender, age, and levels of education. Effects indicate that organic farmers are 1.5 %
points more likely to be more satisfied with their life. The adoptions of more
environmental-friendly practices are not only related to monetary gains but also to
pleasure and personal satisfaction.
Organic animal farms save their money since animals are not being raised at high
stocking density and they are less likely to be affected by any disease.

Gloria Garcia
Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14

In conclusion organic products is the best choice not only for human health but also for
the best of the environment. Organic products are the fresher products you could find in
the market. It is also important for parents to seek for what is best for their children, and
choosing organic food is what is best for them. Since they have all the nutrients the kids
need in order to grow with a better health and even without obesity.

Gloria Garcia
Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14

Gloria Garcia
Research Report

RWS 1301
November 22, 14