Organic or Conventional?:

There is no direct evidence that an organic diet leads to improved health or lower risk of disease according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics to be published next month.

The Academy reported this week that after an extensive analysis of scientific evidence surrounding organic fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat that the most important thing for children is to eat a wide variety of healthy food, whether it’s conventional or organic.

The report cites lower pesticides in organic produce and a lower risk of exposure to drug-resistant bacteria which may be significant, but it’s not clear whether spending the extra money on organic foods will bring a significant benefit to children’s health.

“What’s most important is that children eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, whether those are conventional or organic foods. This type of diet has proven health benefits,” said Dr Janet Silverstein, one of the lead authors of the report.

“Many families have a limited food budget, and we do not want families to choose to consume smaller amounts of more expensive organic foods and thus reduce their overall intake of healthy foods like produce.”

The report outlines the research that has been conducted on organic foods, including convincing evidence of lower exposure to pesticides and less contamination of livestock with drug-resistant bacteria.

“At this point, we simply do not have the scientific evidence to know whether the difference in pesticide levels will impact a person’s health over a lifetime, though we do know that children – especially young children whose brains are developing – are uniquely vulnerable to chemical exposures,” said Dr Joel Forman, another lead author of the report.

If cost is a factor, families can be selective in choosing organic foods, as some conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tend to have lower pesticide residues.

The Academy report also notes that the motivation to choose organic produce, meat and dairy products may be reasonably based on larger environmental issues, as well as human health impacts like pollution and global climate change.

“Pediatricians want families to have the information they need to make wise food choices,” said Dr Forman.

“We hope that additional research will improve our understanding of these issues, including large studies that measure environmental exposures and neurodevelopment.”