Is Organic worth the extra cost and all the hype?

When it comes to choosing between organic and genetically modified organisms (GMO) foods, many people wonder if organic is worth the extra cost. I’m completely sold out to the benefits based on my own gut health history and the science in microbiome disruption.

While both options provide sustenance, the nutritional and long-term health implications differ significantly. Here’s why organic foods, despite being pricier, are a worthwhile investment in your health and well-being.

What Are GMOs and Organic Foods?

• GMOs: Genetically engineered to resist pests or herbicides, these crops often involve chemical interventions like glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide linked to potential health risks.

• Organic Foods: Grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, organic farming emphasizes soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability.

The Case Against Glyphosate

• Glyphosate, the main ingredient in many herbicides, has been associated with disruptions in soil bacteria, which directly impacts the nutritional quality of food. It can inhibit nutrient uptake in plants by binding to minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron, leaving the end product nutritionally deficient¹.

• Studies link glyphosate exposure to potential risks for human health, including endocrine disruption, gut biome disruption and an increased likelihood of chronic diseases².

Organic Foods Are Nutrient-Rich - Organic is Healthier

• Organic foods often contain higher levels of certain nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamin C, and polyphenols, compared to conventional or GMO counterparts. A meta-analysis found that organic crops contain up to 69% more antioxidants³.

• These nutrient differences are critical to overall health, as antioxidants reduce inflammation and support immune function.

Why This Should Matter to You

• Nutrient-dense foods help sustain energy levels, support immune resilience, and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Choosing organic ensures you’re fueling your body with better-quality nutrients.

• Beyond individual health, organic farming practices are better for the environment, ensuring the sustainability of soil and water for future generations⁴.

The soil biome and gut microbiome are so similar - toxic chemicals sprayed on our food affect both.

Why does it matter?

We should be asking more questions about our food. Why do so many people have an issue with wheat? Is it because we hybridized wheat in the last 50 years? Or could it be that it's not the wheat but the amount of toxic chemicals we are spraying on all the weeds around the wheat? or corn…or oats…or soy… you pick the mass mono crop and you will find the issue may not be the seed or plant but the nutrient deficient soil and chemicals sprayed to make it easier for a GPS controlled tractor to harvest our food.

One of my favorite quotes talks about the benefits of being close to the growing of the food that keeps us alive:

Takeaways: Objections and Action Steps

Objections You May Have

1. “Organic is too expensive.”

• Solution: Prioritize purchases. Start with organic versions of the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of produce most likely to contain pesticide residues, and save by buying non-organic from the “Clean Fifteen.”

The “Dirty Dozen” is a list of fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest levels of pesticide residues, even after washing. These are recommended to be purchased organic when possible:

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens

4. Peaches

5. Pears

6. Nectarines

7. Apples

8. Grapes

9. Bell and Hot Peppers

10. Cherries

11. Blueberries

12. Green Beans

This list is updated annually by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on USDA pesticide residue testing. Prioritizing organic options for these foods can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

• View it as a health investment: Fewer healthcare costs may outweigh the upfront price of organic food.

2. “It’s inconvenient to find organic options.”

• Solution: Seek local farmers’ markets or join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. Many grocery delivery services now include organic selections. Also many farmers can’t afford the organic certification but don’t use pesticides or harmful herbicides - ask them how they grow their produce.

3. “I grew up on non-organic food and turned out fine.”

• Solution: While past practices may seem sufficient, modern farming methods involve more extensive chemical usage than before⁵. Organic food helps mitigate these newer risks.

Action Steps: How to Start

• Incorporate organic options gradually into your lifestyle. Begin with pantry staples like organic grains and produce.

• Use apps or guides to identify organic options within your budget and access resources for cooking nutritious meals.

Investing in organic food is not just a dietary choice—it’s a commitment to long-term health, sustainability, and quality of life. The science is clear: less glyphosate, more nutrients, and better health outcomes make organic worth the cost.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👋

I’m always looking for feedback. What would you like for me to cover? Anything in the newsletter you like or want to see more or less of?

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How Self-Doubt Can Become Your Superpower 

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna

Forgiveness May Be Your Missing Ingredient

-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

References

1. Swanson, N. L., et al. (2014). “Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue and gluten intolerance.” Interdisciplinary Toxicology.

2. Myers, J. P., et al. (2016). “Concerns over use of glyphosate-based herbicides and risks associated with exposures: a consensus statement.” Environmental Health.

3. Barański, M., et al. (2014). “Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses.” British Journal of Nutrition.

4. Reganold, J. P., & Wachter, J. M. (2016). “Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century.” Nature Plants.

5. Benbrook, C. M. (2012). “Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S. — the first sixteen years.” Environmental Sciences Europe.