TY - JOUR

T1 - Organic food: nutritious food or food for thought? A review of the evidence

AU - Magkos, Faidon

AU - Arvaniti, Fotini

AU - Zampelas, Antonis

N1 - (Ekstern)

PY - 2003

Y1 - 2003

N2 - Apparently, one of the primary reasons for purchasing organic food is the perception that it is more nutritious than conventional food. Given the increasing interest towards organic food products, it is imperative to review the existing literature concerning the nutritional value of the produce, and to determine to what extent are consumer expectations met. There are only few well-controlled studies that are capable of making a valid comparison and, therefore, compilation of the results is difficult and generalisation of the conclusions should be made with caution. In spite of these limitations, however, some differences can be identified. Although there is little evidence that organic and conventional foods differ in respect to the concentrations of the various micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements), there seems to be a slight trend towards higher ascorbic acid content in organically grown leafy vegetables and potatoes. There is also a trend towards lower protein concentration but of higher quality in some organic vegetables and cereal crops. With respect to the rest of the nutrients and the other food groups, existing evidence is inadequate to allow for valid conclusions. Finally, animal feeding experiments indicate that animal health and reproductive performance are slightly improved when they are organically fed. A similar finding has not yet been identified in humans. Several important directions can be highlighted for future research; it seems, however, that despite any differences, a well-balanced diet can equally improve health regardless of its organic or conventional origin.

AB - Apparently, one of the primary reasons for purchasing organic food is the perception that it is more nutritious than conventional food. Given the increasing interest towards organic food products, it is imperative to review the existing literature concerning the nutritional value of the produce, and to determine to what extent are consumer expectations met. There are only few well-controlled studies that are capable of making a valid comparison and, therefore, compilation of the results is difficult and generalisation of the conclusions should be made with caution. In spite of these limitations, however, some differences can be identified. Although there is little evidence that organic and conventional foods differ in respect to the concentrations of the various micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements), there seems to be a slight trend towards higher ascorbic acid content in organically grown leafy vegetables and potatoes. There is also a trend towards lower protein concentration but of higher quality in some organic vegetables and cereal crops. With respect to the rest of the nutrients and the other food groups, existing evidence is inadequate to allow for valid conclusions. Finally, animal feeding experiments indicate that animal health and reproductive performance are slightly improved when they are organically fed. A similar finding has not yet been identified in humans. Several important directions can be highlighted for future research; it seems, however, that despite any differences, a well-balanced diet can equally improve health regardless of its organic or conventional origin.

KW - Agriculture

KW - Animals

KW - Consumer Behavior

KW - Consumer Product Safety

KW - Dietary Fiber/analysis

KW - Dietary Proteins/analysis

KW - Food, Organic/standards

KW - Humans

KW - Meat/analysis

KW - Milk/chemistry

KW - Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

KW - Nutritive Value

KW - Trace Elements/analysis

KW - Vitamins/analysis

U2 - 10.1080/09637480120092071

DO - 10.1080/09637480120092071

M3 - Review

C2 - 12907407

VL - 54

SP - 357

EP - 371

JO - International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition

JF - International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition

SN - 0963-7486

IS - 5

ER -