A Natural Choice

By Maria Rodale, Runner's World

We are bombarded with information about organic foods—yet much of it is conflicting. Some people say it's more nutritious, others say it's not. And isn't it more important to eat food produced locally? The truth is organic agriculture is key to our survival—and there's clear scientific data to back it up. I'm not the first in my family to reach this conclusion. My grandfather, J.I. Rodale, launched Organic Farming and Gardeningmagazine in 1942, and with it the organic movement (as well as the company that publishes Runner's World). My father supported local farmers. To them, organic was obviously healthier and better for the environment. But in the 1960s, many considered them crazy. So they set out to prove their ideas.

As a result of their efforts and those of others, we can prove organic farming is better for the environment, can stop the climate crisis, and can eliminate toxins from our soil and water. So critical is it that we embrace organic methods that I make this statement: If you do just one thing to change the world, go organic. No choice will have greater positive repercussions for our future. I don't run anymore (I switched to yoga), but my husband is a runner, and many of my colleagues are too, so I understand how deeply you care about keeping your body fit and strong. Here's why going organic is important for you and the landscape you run through.

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EAT NUTRIENTS, NOT TOXINS
Organic foods are a healthier choice—and in more than one way. Studies show some organic foods are higher in antioxidants and cancer-fighting nutrients, such as conjugated linoleic acid. They're also healthier because they contain fewer chemicals. In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers analyzed urine samples of children who ate a chemical food diet and then samples from the same children after eating an organic diet. They found far fewer chemicals in the children's urine the same day they switched to an organic diet—and a return to high levels when they went back to a chemical diet.

PROTECT YOUR BODY
Most chemicals don't biodegrade over a few months. Some last forever and their impacts are horrible. Arsenic is a prime example. It's used extensively in farming as a pesticide. The EPA lists the safe limit in drinking water wells at 10 parts per billion (ppb), but in many areas around the United States, levels range from 50 to 90 ppb. A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives links chronic low-level arsenic exposure to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and reproductive and developmental defects. According to a study from the University of Washington, people who eat organic foods reduce their pesticide intake by as much as 90 percent.

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GET PLENTY OF PROTEIN
Going organic doesn't mean you have to become a vegetarian. Environmental concerns about eating meat come primarily from the methane produced by raising animals in confined lots, which are inhumane, wasteful, and full of diseases, necessitating the overuse of antibiotics. Happily, both meat and dairy products are now produced organically. And while studies have shown that eating too much meat can be unhealthy, animals can be an important component of our nutrition, providing protein, B vitamins, and iron.

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SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Organic growing methods have a smaller carbon footprint than chemical methods do. In a study commissioned by PepsiCo, an independent researcher found the most significant component of the carbon footprint for Tropicana orange juice (a PepsiCo product) wasn't transportation or manufacturing, but "production and application of fertilizers." The local movement has been important in revitalizing farms. But local chemical farming poisons communities and increases residents' carbon footprint and energy use. Local organic farming cleans up communities and decreases carbon production and energy use, making it the best choice for ourselves and the environment.

ENJOY THE TASTE!
There may not be scientific proof to back this up, but organic produce has overcome its once-negative reputation as bland-tasting. Organic foods are fresh and flavorful. They look just as good as, if not better than, produce from chemical farms, and taste even better—especially if grown locally. And eating organic does not condemn you to a diet of nuts and tofu. Today, you can find organic versions of the most popular foods, including runner favorites such as pasta, peanut butter, and even dark chocolate—a postrun treat that's good for your body, the earth, and even your taste buds.