The food that we eat does affect our health. Inevitably, the nutrients contained in food can help maintain metabolic balance, enhance the immune system, to maintain the function of organs in the body. There are various types of food that you can find on the market, both conventional and organic.

The difference between the two types of food lies in how the farmers produce the food. For organic food, farmers usually do not use pesticides or antibiotics for the production of their plants and animals, while conventional food is generally produced using pesticides to protect them from pests.

The debate about which foods are better for our health is not yet clear. Some studies have found that organic foods have lower nutritional value when compared to conventional foods. The latest research published in the Frontiers in Microbiologyjournal found that organic foods (especially apples) have a much more diverse bacterial population than conventional foods. Even organic apples also contain Lactobacillus bacteria which are good for intestinal health. Diverse bacteria are believed to help inhibit pathogens in the body.

Even so, experts assume that both types of food have benefits that are good for health if consumed with the right pattern. For those of you who choose to consume organic food, of course, you are also required to pay extra because the price of organic food is much higher. Conversely, conventional food has a more affordable selling price, but make sure you choose ones that are still fresh.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source(s):

• Wassermann, B., Muller, H., and Berg, G., (2019). An Apple a Day: Which Bacteria Do We Eat With Organic and Conventional Apples ?. Frontiers in Microbiology, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01629.
• Healthline - Eating Raw Organic Produce Can Give Your Gut a Healthy Boost (2019). https://www.healthline.com/health-news/organic-apples-boost-gut-health-more-than-convential-version, 6 August, 2019.