Organic products refers  to the products that are prepared, produces or processed naturally without using any chemicals like chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides or chemical preservatives. On the other hand, products grown or raised without the use of additives, coloring, synthetic chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, hormones), radiation or genetic manipulation are called organic products. An organic products are made by organic agriculture. Most well-known organic products are organic food items; however clothing and personal care items can also be made with organic agriculture. 

Organic food products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides with suitable environmental and social conditions. Healthy soil is the basis for organic agriculture. Organic farmers use natural organic fertilizers and soil amendments like organic matter, green manures and animal manures to build healthy soil. When food is grown in healthy soil, crops are better able to resist disease, survive drought, and tolerate insects. In this system growing plants take time to grow naturally but at the same time good for health, more safe and nutritious.

 Organic foods have higher nutritional values than conventional foods. Foods grown without pesticides and fertilizers produce more phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds. People with food allergies or who are sensitive to chemicals or preservatives often find their symptoms reduced or diminished when they eat only organic foods.  Organic products reduce public health risks to farm workers, their families, and consumers by minimizing their exposure to toxic and persistent chemicals on the farm and in food, the soil in which they work and play, the air they breathe, and the water they drink.  Children are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Thus, offering organic food and the fiber products into the marketplace gives parents the option of choosing products   produced without the use of these toxins.  The use of insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers and weed killers are strictly monitored in organic food production.  Cleaner food means cleaner diet which leads to a cleaner bill of health. The choice of consuming organic foods is thus growing trend in the world of today, as consumers are looking for reasons to eat healthier and they want more information about where their food comes from and how it was produced.

Health Benefits of organic food includes:

1. Organic foods are free of toxins.
2. Organic food taste better.
3. Organic foods protect the Environment.
4. Organic Foods are rich in Antioxidants.
5. Shopping Organic supports local Farmers.
6. Organic Reduce your exposure to GMOs.
7. Organic Foods Reduces your exposure to Hormones and Antibiotics.
8. Consuming Organic food can improve your Heart health and lower your Risk of Cancer.
9. Eating Organic can improve your overall Health.

If one chooses to go for organic food, one can start an edible garden. Organic gardening can be enjoyed by everyone and its benefits include:

• Increases physical activity levels.
• Reduce your stress.
• Is inexpensive and helps you save money.
• Food is fresh and ready to harvest.
• Encourages healthy eating, as food is more nutritious and reduces the consumption of processed foods.
• Reduces food packaging and waste, uses less chemicals, saves water and lowers energy use and emissions, that means has less impact on the climate.

by Rashmi Bhatia, Renowned and Senior Nutritionist.