Health > Benefits of organic food for the Elderly
4th Nov 2020
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Health

Benefits of organic food for the Elderly

What is Organic food?

Organic foods are the ones that are chemical-free and grown using no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Unlike conventional foods, during the production of organic fruits and vegetables, no chemicals are used to increase their size or to ripe them before time. However, it is difficult to distinguish between common foods and organic foods as they look similar in colour and shape. Today, in this blog we will tell you how to identify organic food and the health benefits of organic food for the elderly.

Organic foods are the ones that are chemical-free and grown using no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Unlike conventional foods, during the production of organic fruits and vegetables, no chemicals are used to increase their size or to ripe them before time. However, it is difficult to distinguish between common foods and organic foods as they look similar in colour and shape. Today, in this blog we will tell you how to identify organic food and the health benefits of organic food for the elderly.

How To Identify Organic Food

All kinds of fruits and vegetables are available in the market, which looks very fresh, but this does not mean that they are organic. Organic food items are certified separately. These are affixed or printed with certified stickers. Their taste is also slightly different from normal food. The smell of organic food is stronger than that of normal food.

Organic Versus Non-Organic Food

Organic food has more nutrients in comparison to non-organic foods. It is because non-organic food loses its nutrient during the processing phase. Natural fertilizers are used for organic foods such as cow manure. On the other hand, non-organic food is fertilized with chemicals. Non-organic foods that were grown on traditional farms use human faeces as fertilizers. This practice, however, is not allowed in organic farms.

Organic food does not contain hormones, while non-organic foods contain hormones, hormones are injected for animals to speed up their growth. Food poisoning is more likely to occur with non-organic foods than organic.

What is special about organic food?

Organic food is much more expensive than normal. In such a situation, the question arises that when you choose organic food over other food, what do you get different or extra? Are organic foods beneficial for health? Let us discuss some things and try to find out the answers to these questions.

Organic Cow Milk

Organic cow milk is the one which is produced from a cow that has been grown organically. That is a cow that has been reared with the right sunshine, water, food and other natural facilities. Such a cow is grown with organic food and is not given any synthetic insecticide. An organically grown cow is given medicines when needed, but no antibiotics or hormones etc. are given to increase milk. There is no difference in the number of calories, protein and calcium in both traditional and organic milk. According to research, organic milk has high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)). This means that organic cow milk is slightly more beneficial to health than traditional milk.

Organic Vegetables

Organic vegetables are grown in the field without any synthetic pesticides. The method of growing them is completely natural. However, according to a study, organic vegetables do not only give you more vitamins or minerals but are beneficial for your health to some extent.

Organic Eggs

Organic eggs mean eggs laid by chickens that have been reared in a healthy environment. Farms that lay organic chickens and eggs follow healthy habits, give organic food to chickens. In organic egg-farming, chickens are not kept in cages. They are given a place to move and are grown in a happy environment thus organic eggs are considered healthier than regular eggs.

Organic Bread

The materials used to make products such as bread are also grown organically. Not only this, but organic bread also exclude unhealthy elements such as artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

Organic food keeps many diseases away in Elderly

The biggest feature of organic foods is that they do not have any side-effects on the body. The organic food doesn’t use any kind of chemical, pesticides, medicines or preservatives. Therefore, it is considered to be the best for the elderly.

It keeps the elderly away from many diseases.

  • Organic food has higher nutritional content than chemical-rich foods. They contain more vitamins and minerals.
  • The nutrients present in organic food can be beneficial in preventing dangerous diseases like heart diseases, blood pressure problems, migraine, diabetes and cancer. Fat is equal in this. With this weight can be controlled.
  • Organic foods usually do not contain toxic substances as they do not use harmful substances like chemicals, pesticides, drugs, preservatives.
  • The body’s immunity is also strengthened by the consumption of organic food. It tastes better and is considered beneficial for the growing skin.

However, to enjoy the benefits of organic food, the elders must be given the food in the right amount, considering the nutrients of the food. Also, if you do not cook these foods properly, then there can be disadvantages instead. Thus along with such information, we suggest and provide nursing services for elders, where they take care of each and everything of the elders.

9 amazing benefits of organic food for seniors

Antibiotic resistance

One of the key benefits of organic food for seniors is that it is antibiotic-resistant, Whereas non-organic food is produced with the help of chemicals. Thus people who consume non-organic food also consume antibiotics, hormones and other harmful chemicals indirectly. As humans grow, they become vulnerable to various diseases. Adding organic food in your diet is one of the important things that one should consider with growing age.

Strengthens Immune System

Grown through healthy ways, organic food also works as a good immunity booster for elders. Organic food provides healthier minerals and vitamins to the elderly. On the other hand, conventional food is grown to only enhance the production with any possible means. The chemicals used in non-organic food are harmful. Although the effects may not be visible, but it weakens the immune power gradually. To know about more immunity boosting foods, check here.

Pesticide cutback

Another benefit of non-organic food is that it doesn’t contain pesticides. Organic food is a must for the elderly with chronic diseases. Whereas the non-organic food consumes chemical pesticides which further leads to various life-threatening diseases in the elderly. Although pesticides are good to keep the pests away from the crops, they can be dangerous for human health. Thus elders should preferably consume organic food.

Organic products are poison-free

Since organic food doesn’t use any harmful chemical during the production, it is considered poison-free and healthy for the seniors. With organic farming things like biomagnification have also reduced, therefore such foods are considered to be at minimal risk of contamination of poisonous substances.

Better Taste

Organically ripened food doesn’t only ensure better health in the elderly but also provides better taste than that of regular food. It is because organic food is given more time in the farms and grown in all the natural ways.

Lessened chances of food-borne illness

Since it doesn’t use any chemical substance, it causes fewer chances of foodborne illness. Therefore elderly who eat organic food tend to live a longer and healthier life.

Improves Cardiovascular Health

Organically grown food is also beneficial for heart health. The organic food consumes less oil and fats thus it also takes care of the elders’ hearts. Organic food is also considered as a rich source of Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Elders with heart-related issues are strictly advised to consume more organic food.

Antioxidant content

If we go by the studies, organic food significantly contributes to the nutritional value in the growing people. With the antioxidant content, organic food prevents the elderly from different diseases such as vision problems, cancer, malnutrition and so on.

Better overall health

With so many benefits of organic food, moreover, it improves the overall health of the elderly. Having organic food regularly ensures better health and nourishment and leads to better living.

Environmental benefits of organic food

In recent years, the trend of organic food is becoming increasingly popular. Sales of organic food manufacturers have steadily increased during the past decade, although organic food prices are inherently higher. But the best part is that food produced through organic farming is completely free from chemicals, drugs and growth hormones. Moreover, it is an ecologically balanced approach. Here are some common environment talk benefits of organic food:

  • Organic food strives for crop rotation resources, which promotes ecological balance and preserves biodiversity. The use of pesticides and fertilizers is considered harmful to the environment as well as health.
  • Organic food irradiation is not processed using an industrial solvent or synthetic food additives, hence it is environment friendly.
  • Organic food contains small amounts of pesticides. Whatever food, grains, fruits, vegetables, etc. we eat, the pesticide residues remain on it, but, in organic food, it is in small quantities.
  • Organic farming is beneficial for the environment because it causes less pollution, conserves water, increases soil fertility and consumes less energy.
  • Animals that are reared organically are not given any antibiotics, growth hormones or harmful products. This not only keeps the animals healthy but also the products they get are healthier than other products.

Benefits of growing organic food

Organic food, indeed, is better than the artificially grown products. With so many benefits of eating organic food, there are some significant benefits of growing it. Here are the interesting benefits of growing organic food!

Organic foods provide excessive nutrition

Organically grown fruits, vegetables and grains have the most nutrients. Researchers at IFOAM tested fruits grown from organic farms and fruits grown from normal farming. This study concluded that organically grown food has many times more nutrition.

Organic food is without chemical

From sowing seeds to harvesting, many pesticides and chemical crops are applied. Substances poisonous to insects are also dangerous for humans. In such a situation, whatever fruits and vegetables we eat, they are ripened with chemicals. There is no chemical in organic farming, so fruits and vegetables give only nutrition, not any kind of chemical. This protects seniors citizens from the diseases that arise from the side effects of chemicals.

Ensures soil fertilizer strength for future

Any plant takes nourishment from the soil to grow. The soil takes time to replenish its fertility. When chemical fertilizers are put in that soil, the soil starts becoming barren. Sadly in the last few decades, fertile soil has become barren, due to the excessive use of chemicals. If it continues the same way, farming will become impossible in future. On the other hand, organic farming uses dung manure and earthworm manure to make the soil more fertile. Due to which nutrients increase in the soil. Organic adoption is very important to save the future.

Environment protection

According to the report of the Environmental Protection Agency, the use of chemicals in agriculture is not only dangerous for the elderly but also causes great harm to nature. Organisms living in chemical soil spread the land pollution by destroying the animals and when these chemicals percolate to the reservoirs, they also spread water pollution. Organic farming is a necessity not only for us, or the elders, but also for nature.

Organic farming protects against cancer

According to research published in the journal JAMA, people who eat organic food have a 25% lower risk of getting cancer. This research was carried out for five years with a follow-up that found that organic food reduces the chances of breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and colorectal cancer in elders.

The Bottom Line

Organic items contain more nutrients than the commonly grown crop. This is because the soil in which they are grown is more fertile, in which the crop is better. With a lot of health benefits, it induces the best results in the enhancing and regulating the health of elders. But all these things can be properly brought out in reality, when they’ll have some professional caregivers by their side. To get such professionally trained Caregivers or nursing services for elders, trust upon us. We, at Emoha, ensure the healthiest and happiest living of your beloved elders, with our efficiently working teams. Connect with us now at eldersfirst@emoha.com or call at 1800-123-445555.