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Question

Is it better to eat organic foods or GMO foods?

Is it better to eat organic foods or gmo foods? Why?

Submitted by: Megan Raleigh


Answer

Expert response from Neva Cochran

MS, RDN, LD, FAND, Nutrition Communications Consultant

Friday, 23/03/2018 17:20

Whether a food is produced through organic, conventional or bioengineered (GMO) agriculture, they are equally nutritious and healthful. The U.S. Department of Agriculture strictly regulates all methods of farming, so foods produced are safe to eat and nutrient-rich. To understand the differences among the three types of agriculture, USDA provides the following information.

  • Organic: Organic agricultural crops are grown from organic seeds without synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, irradiation or genetic engineering. While natural pesticides and fertilizers are primarily used, a limited number of approved synthetic substances are allowed if natural methods are inadequate.
  • Conventional: Conventional farms tend to be larger, using technological innovations and growing a single type of high-yield crop utilizing synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. More food is produced with less land to ensure a more abundant and less expensive food supply. 
  • Biotechnology or GMO: Agricultural biotechnology uses a variety of tools, including traditional breeding methods and genetic engineering to make changes to improve plants or animals or to develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses. It can make insect control and weed management safer and easier as well as protect crops against disease.

There are only 10 GMO crops commercially approved in the US: field and sweet corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, squash, potatoes and apples. The majority of these are made into ingredients for food products like cornstarch, corn syrup, corn oil, canola oil, soybean oil and sugar.

While organic crops are often promoted as being nutritionally superior to conventional or GMO, there is little evidence to support this claim. In fact, numerous studies (references linked below) have found no significant nutritional advantage of organic over conventionally grown foods.

The good news is GMO, organic and conventionally grown foods all contribute valuable nutrients to our diets. Corn, soybeans, papaya, squash, potatoes and apples boost fiber. Fiber helps control cholesterol and blood sugar, promotes digestive health and makes us feel fuller so we’re less likely to overeat. Corn, soybeans and canola are used to produce vegetable oils low that are low in saturated fat, part of a heart healthy diet. Papaya and potatoes supply vitamin C and potassium and papaya also delivers significant vitamin A.