Organic Food

A systematic review and meta-analysis which included 17 studies in humans and 223 studies of foods was performed by researchers at Stanford University and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2012. As of 2021, it is the largest study of its kind to date. The researchers found essentially no evidence for any health benefits of organic foods versus conventional ones. While pesticide levels were measured to be higher in conventional foods, even in the urine of children after consumption, the levels were still well below that needed to cause harm. Certain organic foods such as meat and dairy were shown to have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, but the clinical significance of this difference is not apparent. Cadmium levels in organic grains are also lower, but again, this has not been shown to have any detrimental effects. Organic meat produced from animals raised without antibiotics is less likely to contribute to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. There are also benefits from the standpoint of animal welfare. However, both of these benefits related to meat production are not restricted to certified organics.

As far as the environmental benefits go, it is a bit murkier. Organic crops have lower yields per acre which leads to more land and water use. It also increases the distance that food needs to be transported.