Organic produce has higher nutritional value than non-organic varieties.
Organic vitamins and minerals are vitamins in their natural state, rather than synthetic. The human body needs a certain amount of vitamins and minerals to function. Unfortunately, adding a supply of healthy as fruit, vegetables, lean meats and wholegrains to your shopping basket may not be enough. You need to make sure that the food you are buying has the correct level of nutrients.
Significance
A strong, healthy body needs vitamins and minerals.
To be healthy, a balanced, nutritious diet is essential, and according the the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, organic vitamins and minerals are a vital element of this. We need minerals in our diet because the body cannot synthesise them itself; they are crucial for the metabolic process by turning the food we eat into energy and maintaining the body's structure. They help to build strong bones and teeth and control body fluids inside and outside cells.
Vitamins assist the body in performing a number of essential functions as well as being organic compounds, which are essential for life. Vitamins are not produced by the body-with the exception of Vitamin D, which is produced by the body from sunlight-and therefore must be taken as part of a diet.
Types
Different foods contain certain vitamins and minerals.
Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin K) are found in fatty foods such as dairy, vegetable oil, oily fish and butter.They are necessary for the body to function properly, but should not be consumed in excessive quantities. Food containing water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin) should be eaten more often because they are not stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins are found in fruit, vegetables and grains. Essential minerals are calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulphur, which can all be found in a variety of foods such as meat, fish, milk, cereals, dairy, fruit, vegetables and nuts.
Misconceptions
Vitamin levels decrease if food has to undergo a long journey.
Naturally, consumers believe that by buying vitamin-rich food at their local grocers or supermarket they are receiving all the expected nutritional benefits. However, there are concerns that the vitamin levels in grocery produce are far lower than natural levels. The Consumer's Association published a report in 2004 stating that the vitamin C levels in some prepackaged supermarket fruit and vegetables were far lower than normal levels for unprepared produce. The reduction in vitamin levels is due to exposure to air and sunlight and the lengthy journey food often has to go through before it reaches the supermarket shelves, particularly if it is produced abroad.
Solution
Green tea is a natural superfood.
Eating organically grown fruit and vegetables and meat from organically raised livestock gives you a greater chance of eating food that has retained a higher percentage of its natural vitamin and mineral content. An alternative to switching to a completely organic lifestyle is to supplement your diet with superfoods and organic vitamin supplements, commonly known as whole food supplements. Superfoods include barley grass, chlorella, spirulina, sea vegetables, wheat grass, quinoa, flax oil, extra virgin coconut oil, soy milk and tofu, green tea and amazon herbs.
Preparation
Avoid cutting food as much as possible.
Careful food preparation can help preserve the vitamin and mineral content. Any method of cooking destroys some amount of nutrients, so eating vegetables raw is by far the healthiest option. The next best option is to steam them, or use a pressure cooker. When cooking meat, the best method for keeping nutrients intact is broiling, using as little oil as possible to retain vitamins A and E. For vitamin D-rich fish, bake instead of fry. Do not wash rice before cooking, unless the package specifically advises you to; this can take away up to 25 percent of the vitamin B1 content.
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