How Eating Organic Could Protect You Against Cancer

Cancer affects millions of people every day. In 2020, there were about 18 million new cancer cases worldwide, and about 10 million premature deaths from cancer. It is one of the most pervasive diseases humankind faces, and in this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are encouraged to recognise its effects on people young and old. 

Across the world, teams of scientists work day and night to alleviate, and hopefully even to cure, cancer. These scientists have found numerous ways to lower one’s risk of cancer, including eating organic food. In this blog, we will explore how organic food helps your body in the fight against cancer.

One study on almost 70,000 people drew a correlation between eating organic food and lowered risk of cancer in French adults. The authors argued that synthetic pesticides used in conventional farming are associated with a higher risk of cancer, and that residues from these pesticides find their way into non-organic food. They found that consumers of conventionally grown food had more residual pesticide in their diet, and that consumers of organic food were less likely to develop certain types of cancers, including breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In this way, eating sustainably farmed organic food can lower your cancer risk by over 20%!

Organic foods themselves also help shield your body from the risk of cancer later in life. Since there are fewer steps in the production process, no middlemen or machinery, more of the nutrients stay in the food to be absorbed into your body. Studies show that organic food is particularly high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that protect against free radicals, detached oxygen atoms that can damage cells and cause mutations in DNA. Since these mutations are known to be one possible cause of cancers, eating plenty of antioxidants reduces your chance of cancer significantly. 

Some foods that are high in antioxidants include nuts, berries, leafy greens, tomatoes, onions, and green tea. Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties, so citrus fruits and kiwis will help you in this regard. For a portion-size power pack of antioxidants to give children a head start in the fight against cancer, try our Originz range of apple, kiwi, and spinach purées.

Organic food has the potential to be your first line of defence against cancer later in life. Its richer nutrient and antioxidant content fuels your body better than non-organic food. Moreover, it’s free of all the harmful pesticides that are linked to an increased risk of cancer. It is important to note, however, that diet choices are not the be-all and end-all of cancer prevention methods. It is also beneficial to engage in physical exercise and keep yourself fit, and to not smoke or drink alcohol. Nevertheless, organic food is a step in the right direction for your wellbeing.

Further Read,

• 10 Health Benefits of Eating Bananas

• 10 Amazing Benefits of Broccoli

• 10 Benefits of Eating Green Peas