Organic fruit offers many health benefits over conventionally grown fruit due to increased nutrient content, higher antioxidant levels and the absence of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. If you’re new to buying organic or on a tight budget, start with the fruits that are most important to eat organic, particularly apples, peaches, nectarines, cherries, pears and imported grapes. Inorganic fruits that have thick or inedible skins–bananas, kiwi, pineapple–are acceptable for good health.
Slimmer Waistline
A fruit’s thick, colorful skin provides exceptional concentrations of soluble fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients. Unfortunately, it also provides high concentrations of pesticides and chemicals in conventionally grown produce. Peeling the fruit avoids these harmful components, but it also sheds the nutrition. Eat organic fruit to get all of the nutritional benefits found in fruit skin, namely soluble fiber. Fiber aids your body in eliminating waste products effectively through the intestines. It also helps you feel fuller longer, which helps you eat less over time.
Younger-looking Skin
Organic fruit contains higher levels of phenolic and ascorbic acid than conventionally grown fruit, according to a February 2003 study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. These antioxidants clean up oxidative damage to the skin caused by free radicals from stress and sun exposure, which shows up in wrinkles, age spots and uneven skin tone. Cranberries, goji berries, pomegranate and black raspberries provide some of the highest levels of antioxidants in any fruit, yielding the greatest benefits for youthful-looking skin.
Cancer Prevention
Oxidative damage caused by diet, excessive sun exposure and other lifestyle and environmental factors also plays a significant role in the growth of cancerous tumors. Conversely the high levels of antioxidants found in organic fruits counteracts free radicals and may offer cancer prevention benefits. Organic berries in particular contain significant levels of antioxidants. A study conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University Department of Internal Medicine and published in the March 2009 issue of Cancer Prevention Research found that berries contain powerful cancer-fighting chemicals, such as anthocyanins and ellagitannins. The study found that even freeze-dried version of berries provides these benefits. So when fresh organic produce isn’t available, consider frozen or freeze-dried options.
