Doubts persist about how much healthier organic products compare to conventional foods; However, until now, no study has systematically considered the differences between organic and non-organic processed foods in the US.
A new peer reviewed study by EWG scientists fills that gap. The study, published this week in the journal Nutrients, analyzed more than 80,000 foods and found that organic products contain significantly fewer ingredients associated with negative health effects.
The study focused on packaged foods, which account for more than 60 percent of calories consumed in the US It is the most comprehensive study to date on the differences between non-organic or conventional packaged foods and organic certificates.
Unlike conventional packaged foods, organic Packaged foods must be formulated according to strict standards that protect consumers from use of non-reviewed food additives, some of which have been associated with negative health effects.
According to the EWG study, organic packaged foods have fewer ingredients and ultra-processed additives that promote overeating. The overall nutritional profile of organic foods is better too, with less added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. And they contain more potassium, a heart healthy nutrient It is found in fruits, vegetables, and other unprocessed or minimally processed foods.
Nearly three-quarters of the U.S. packaged food and beverage supply in 2018 was ultra-processed. This food category is a major source of calories for people over the age of two, and even higher for children ages two to 19.
The EWG study analyzed the nutrition and ingredient information of 8,240 organic and 72,205 conventional foods sold in the US in 2019 and 2020. It found that packaged foods labeled organic have a healthier profile than their conventional counterparts.
A diet rich in organic foods has been associated with a lower risk of some cancers, being overweight and obese, and type 2 diabetes.
The reverse is also true: a diet rich in ultra-processed foods is linked to a decrease in the consumption of vegetables and an increased risk of depression, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Diet-related public health problems, including being overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, have been on the rise in the US and many other countries. In 2018, nearly two out of every five adults in the US. obesity.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, childhood obesity has also increased significantly, according to another study published this August in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Highly processed packaging purchases meal – usually high in calories, saturated fat, and added sugar – also increased.
EWG recommends limit consumption of ultra-processed foods, whether organic or not, just like the Canadian, Mexican and Brazilian dietary guidelines. The EWG has long promoted a diet rich in unprocessed or minimally processed organic foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, when it is possible.
Shoppers can find out if they are eating enough fruits and vegetables by checking EWG Nutrition Calculator. They can also consult the EWG Food scores for information on how processed some foods are, as well as possible nutrition or ingredient concerns.