By David Liu, PHD

Tuesday Sept 4, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A review article by Stanford University researchers suggests that organic food provides no better nutrition than conventional foods.  Not everyone may agree with this conclusion.  To say the least certain conventional foods contain high levels of pesticides while organic foods contain  a minimal amount if any.

A new study most recently published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture found that many organic food consumers feel much better after eating organic food, compared to eating conventional foods.

The survey study of 566 organic food consumers led by Lucy PL van de Vijver and Marja ET van Vliet of  Louis Bolk Institute, in Driebergen, The Netherlands showed that 70 percent respondents reported eating organic food helped them have better resistance to illness and feel more energetic.

Specifically, 30 percent reported a positive effect on mental well-being, 24 percent improved stomach and bowel function, 19 percent improved condition of skin, hair and or nails, 14 percent reported fewer allergic complaints and 14 percent improved satiety.

There is a noticeable difference in taste in many cases between an organic food and its conventional counterpart.   Some young children would reject eating conventional food once they had experience eating the organic version of the same type of food.

For some foods, choosing organic food is the only option.  Organic food should not  be made of GMO or contain GMO foods.  With uncertainty about the safety of genetically modified foods like soy and corn as some consumers percerved, it is wise to choose organic soy and organic corn.  Conventional foods often contain high levels of pesticides, which have been associated with lower intellectual performance in children, while organic foods contain minimal amounts.

According to the Environmental Working Group, the following conventional foods contain highest amounts of pesticides: starting with the highest levels, apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, mectarines – imported, grapes – imported, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries – domestic, lettuce and Kale/collard greens.  For these foods, food consumers may be better off buying organic counterparts.

Some studies found children eating organic food had better brain performance, than those who used conventional foods.  Apparently, the Stanford University researchers ignored those studies.

Message to take home is, the industry does not want consumers to see the difference between conventional food and organic food.