Is Eating Organic Food Better For Our Health?

With more people now opting for organic food in Singapore, one might wonder: is such a diet genuinely healthy? Or is it just a passing trend? 

The short answer is yes: eating organic produce and meat benefits your health, particularly if you’re concerned with your food’s long-term effects on you. 

But when it comes to organic food, it’s not simply a matter of what it contains. It’s also about what’s not in it, as we’ll look closer here. 

The Various Health Benefits of an Organic Diet

Here are some of the perks of having a diet made up of organic food here in Singapore:

It Contains Little to No Pesticides

For organic produce to be considered as such, it should be grown without using synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Chemical pesticides pose long-term health risks, such as developing reproductive issues, damage to the nervous and immune systems, and cancer. 

While Singapore heavily regulates the amount of chemical pesticide residue allowed in food, having an organic diet further reduces the amount that could enter your system. 

An organic diet also limits your exposure to bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, which are also found in pesticides. 

No Preservatives and Other Artificial Additives

Besides having no synthetic pesticides, organic food is also free from synthetic preservatives and additives. 

While this type of content found in food is also regulated, artificial ingredients can have side effects such as: 

• Affect thyroid function and blood circulation due to preservatives

• Weight gain from artificial sweeteners

• Higher risk of cancer from additives in processed meats

• Heightened allergic reactions

May Contain More Nutrients Than Conventional Food

Past studies also suggest organically grown food has more nutritional value than regular food. 

For example, organic dairy and meat products have shown higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health and reduce inflammation and cholesterol levels. Meanwhile, organic produce has more antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that cause problems such as diabetes, skin ageing, and heart diseases.

Eating Organic Food in Singapore Is Also Good for Everyone Else

Besides being better for your overall health, an organic diet supports organic farming practices. Let’s have a look at the ways going organic benefits others. 

Healthier for Livestock

Organic farming isn’t limited to avoiding synthetic pesticides and not genetically modifying crops. 

It also means being more concerned with animal welfare and giving livestock a higher quality of life by:

• Not using growth hormones and drugs

• Giving them healthy living conditions and ample space to free-range

• Providing organic feeds and letting them forage outdoors

Healthier for the Environment

Organic farming practices are also generally healthier for the environment. This is because they:

• Don’t expose other organisms to the harmful chemicals found in pesticides.

• Reduce air, water, and soil pollution by not exposing the farm to synthetics. 

• Consume less energy than conventional farming by not using machines for spraying pesticides.

• Aim to make the farm more self-sufficient by using resources generated by the farm, such as having livestock manure and plant waste for fertilisers.

Finding Organic Food in Singapore

If you’re committed to buying and eating organic produce, rest assured many shops are selling organic food in Singapore. These range from local farmers’ markets to online stores that deliver to your doorstep. 

And whenever you’re not keen on cooking a meal, it’s also easy to find organic restaurants in Singapore nowadays.