http://www.mercola.com/2003/
Conventional agriculture, which depends on heavy applications of chemical
fertilizers, chemical pesticides and irrigation, may inhibit plants’
natural production of cancer-fighting flavonoids, while organic
agriculture, which does not use synthetic pesticides or chemical
fertilizers, may actually promote the production of flavonoids.
Flavonoids are plant by-products believed to protect the plant from
insects, bacterial and fungal infection and photo-oxidation. These plant
chemicals are also thought to be useful in preventing cancer and heart
disease and combating age-related neurological dysfunctions.
Flavonoids work by protecting the cell against damage caused by active
oxygen radicals. Oxygen radicals can cause cancer and are also associated
with cardiovascular disease and age-related nerve cell damage.
In studies comparing conventional farming with organic and sustainable
(environmentally sound) farming of berries and corn, organic and
sustainable produce was significantly higher in flavonoids than
conventional produce.
Although previous studies did not evaluate flavonoids, results indicated
that conventionally produced foods had higher levels of nitrates and
synthetic pesticides and fewer total solids than organic foods.
The natural compounds showed various functions in the cell, including the
potential to kill cancer cells or prevent them from spreading. Using plant
chemicals in the treatment of cancer could enhance cure rates if combined
with standard treatment methods, according to researchers.
Other studies have shown that flavonoids have protective effects against
cardiovascular disease and cancer, although separate studies have found
that the compounds have no effect, and a few have suggested they could
have harmful effects.
Plant chemicals may also be useful in combating age-related neurological
dysfunctions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, which
are associated with long-term oxidative stress.
There is substantial evidence to suggest that flavonoids, which are more
plentiful in organic than conventional foods, are effective in the fight
against cancer, heart disease and age-related neurological dysfunction.
Additionally, increasing evidence indicates that organic farming gives
high yields and is more beneficial to the environment than conventional
farming.
According to researchers, supporters of genetically modified foods often
deny or ignore this large body of evidence.
Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry February 26, 2003;51(5):1237-41
DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:
The reasons why you should seek organic foods whenever possible continue
to increase; however, don’t become overly distressed if you can’t get
them. It is far better to get fresh vegetables, whether organic or not,
and consume no sugar then eat cooked vegetables and have sugar regularly.
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