Is It Worth It? The Answer is Yes!

We have all heard about “going organic.” Numerous products are being labeled with the big green USDA ORGANIC sticker, but what does that really mean? Organic means to use natural fertilizers that are beneficial to birds and insects as well as the rotation of crops rather than using harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones on crops. This means that when consuming an organic fruit or vegetable you are not at risk of consuming those harmful toxins that conventional farming injects into and sprays on their produce.

When it comes to juicing, one of the main benefits is the elimination of toxins from your body and the absorption of an abundance of nutrients. If the fruits and vegetables you are juicing are full of chemicals, pesticides, and other foreign substances, what is the point? Choosing organic fruits and vegetables while juicing or purchasing already-made organic juice is essential for ensuring the maximum absorbance of nutritious vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Potassium, and Magnesium.

Numerous fruits that are crucial to juicing are infiltrated with toxins during conventional farming. Apples, a juicing must-have, contain flavonoids (immune-booster), antioxidants, and almost two thirds of its total fiber content just from the peel alone. The draw back? Apples that are grown conventionally are sprayed with numerous pesticides which then remain on, yes you guessed it, the peel. Strawberries are ranked number four in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) which measures the antioxidant activity in foods. However, strawberries do not contain a protective peel and therefor have no protection against the pesticides used in conventional farming. Grape skins contain resveratrol, an anti-aging component, so by choosing organic you can juice them without getting any toxins located in the peel.

A detoxifying, nutrient blasting juice would not be complete without greens such as kale, collard greens, and spinach. However, these juicing bases have no protective covering and allow for harmful pesticide residue to remain in the nooks and crannies, even after cleaning. Cucumbers, which are 95% water, contain quintessential “glowing skin” nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and silicon in their own skin! Juicing these vegetables in their organic form will provide a plethora of antioxidants to make you not only feel good but look good too!

So, why go organic? If omitting the concerns of pesticide consumption, supporting local organic farmers, reducing pollution, and conserving both water and soil quality are not good enough reasons, there’s more. A study by The Department of Food Science and Technology at University of California Davis showed that there are higher levels of beneficial nutrients and lower levels of harmful components in organically raised vegetables. In the study, organic spinach had higher levels of vitamin C and flavonoids, as well as less nitrates compared to conventionally grown spinach. As time goes by, more and more evidence will show the evidence for going organic and the benefits of juicing that go along with it.

Sources:

“Effect of organic and conventional cropping systems on ascorbic acid, vitamin C, flavonoids, nitrate, and oxalate in 27 varieties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)” J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Mar 28;60(12):3144-50. doi: 10.1021/jf300051f. Epub 2012 Mar 20.

“Fruits and Vegetables You Must Buy Organic.” Just Juice Fruits and Vegetables You Must Buy Organic Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2016.

Stacey Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN. “Choosing Organic | Reboot With Joe.” Reboot With Joe. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2016.