The debate over whether organic produce is really better for you may have just come to a screeching halt. A recent 10-year study out of the University of California found that tomatoes grown organically have 79 to 97 percent more flavonoids than conventionally grown tomatoes. Flavonoids are linked to lower blood pressure, which may help prevent heart disease.The key seems to be in the fertilizer. Flavonoids are part of a tomato's defense process when it doesn't get enough food. When conventional farmers feed their tomatoes, the flavonoid content goes down. Critics say that just because an organic tomato has more flavonoid doesn't make it healthier. After all, they say, not everyone needs more flavonoids in their diet.
Consumers will be the ultimate judge. What about you? Do you think organic produce is more nutritionally sound or do you think the difference isn't significant enough to matter?
1. Organic Produce is heads and tails above conventional. It definitely taste superior. Conventional fruits and vegetables can taste pretty bland. Organic on the other hand sparkles your taste buds. I grew some potatoes in my garden Using organic fertilizer and everything else organic. The potatoes were absolutely delicious and people could not get enough of them. Some even commented that they had not eaten a potato that tasted this good since they were children.
Posted at 1:13PM on Jul 10th 2007 by Larry Blackwell