| Organic health food store produce was recently | | | | lower the levels of flavonoids found in fruit, |
| compared to standard produce in a major university | | | | suggesting the most likely cause for this lack could be |
| study, and the results were surprising to say the | | | | nothing more than over-fertilization. |
| least. The research focused on organically-grown | | | | In addition to their obvious heart-health benefits, |
| tomatoes versus standard tomatoes, and it was | | | | Flavonoids are also linked to reduced rates of certain |
| determined that the organics contained almost twice | | | | types of cancers, as well as dementia. Studies are |
| the levels of heart-healthy antioxidants, especially | | | | currently underway to determine if flavonoids may |
| flavonoids. | | | | have other health benefits as well. |
| Studies have shown that flavonoids can reduce high | | | | "But scientists are cautious about saying that |
| blood pressure and lower the risk of many types of | | | | organically grown foods are empirically healthier for |
| heart disease and even strokes. Researches theorize | | | | consumers. Most experts agree that there are |
| that high levels of nitrogen in the organic soil could | | | | nutritional benefits to some organic fruits, for |
| cause these benefits to organically grown produce. | | | | example, but this does not prove that organic food in |
| The study, carried out at the University of California, | | | | general is healthier than foods grown with |
| measured amounts of two different flavonoids, | | | | conventional farming methods. |
| quercetin and kaempferol, in organic tomato samples | | | | For example, another study found organic milk to |
| collected in relation to general agricultural research. | | | | have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, but |
| The UC team's findings confirm European research, | | | | researchers point out that this type of "short chain" |
| which suggests that organically-grown tomatoes, | | | | omega-3 does not contain the same benefits as the |
| peaches, apples, and other fruits contain higher | | | | more conventional omega 3 oils normally found in fish. |
| nutritional value than non-organic fruits. | | | | Since this was only the second American study to |
| On average, the organic fruits proved 80-90% higher | | | | find significant differences between organic and |
| in antioxidants than standard, conventionally-grown | | | | non-organic produce, researchers warn that more |
| produce. Other experts attribute the differing levels | | | | studies are necessary before any definitive |
| of flavonoids to the absence of fertilizer in the | | | | conclusions can be reached. |
| organic farming methods. | | | | Still, organic health food store food is considered a |
| Flavonoids themselves are produced as a defense | | | | healthy alternative by many consumers, and the few |
| mechanism, and can be triggered by a deficiency in | | | | studies available seem to suggest that organic |
| nutrients--a lack of soil nitrogen, for example. But the | | | | produce is worth the time and expense to seek out. |
| inorganic nitrogen found in conventional fertilizer may | | | | |