Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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 Organic food 'better' for heart
Organic fruit and vegetables may be better for you than conventionally
grown crops, US research suggests.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6272634.stm
A ten-year study comparing organic tomatoes with standard produce found
almost double the level of flavonoids - a type of antioxidant.

Flavonoids have been shown to reduce high blood pressure, lowering the risk
of heart disease and stroke.

Writing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the team said
nitrogen in the soil may be the key.

Dr Alyson Mitchell, a food chemist at the University of California, and
colleagues measured the amount of two flavonoids - quercetin and kaempferol
- in dried tomato samples that had been collected as part of a long-term
study on agricultural methods.

        These findings also confirm recent European research, which showed 
that
organic tomatoes, peaches and processed apples all have higher nutritional
quality than non-organic
Peter Melchett, Soil Association

They found that on average they were 79% and 97% higher respectively in the
organic tomatoes than in the conventionally grown fruit.

New Scientist magazine reported that the different levels of flavonoids in
tomatoes are probably due to the absence of fertilisers in organic farming.

Flavonoids are produced as a defence mechanism that can be triggered by
nutrient deficiency, such as a lack of nitrogen in the soil.

The inorganic nitrogen in conventional fertiliser is easily available to
plants and so, the researchers suggests, the lower levels of flavonoids are
probably caused by over-fertilisation.

Conflicting evidence

Flavonoids have also been linked with reduced rates of some types of cancer
and dementia.

The Food Standards Agency says there is some evidence that flavonoids can
help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and they are currently
carrying out a study to look at the health benefits in more detail.

However, a spokesperson said there was no evidence that organic food was
healthier.

"Our long-standing advice on organic food is there can be some nutrient
differences but it doesn't mean it's necessarily better for you."

For example, a recent study found that organic milk had higher levels of
omega-3 fatty acids, but the FSA points out that these short-chain fatty
acids do not seem to have the health promoting benefits offered by
long-chain omega-3 oils found in oily fish.

Peter Melchett, Soil Association policy director said: "We welcome the now
rapidly growing body of evidence which shows significant differences
between the nutritional composition of organic and non-organic food.

"This is the second recent American study to find significant differences
between organic and non-organic fruit.

"These findings also confirm recent European research, which showed that
organic tomatoes, peaches and processed apples all have higher nutritional
quality than non-organic."

"As further scientific evidence emerges from new research looking at
differences between organic and non-organic food, the Soil Association will
be asking the FSA to keep their nutritional advice to consumers under
review."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6272634.stm

Published: 2007/07/05 10:54:13 GMT