What’s the latest on the health market? Organic food, of course. Of late, there has been rising consciousness regarding the health benefits of organically produced food as opposed to conventionally grown food. From an environmental perspective, organic farming does far less harm to nature than agricultural procedures that employ chemical pesticides and fertilisers. The use of natural insecticides and manure prevents the contamination of groundwater and replenishes the natural nutrient levels of the soil. Moreover, agricultural run-off, which is a leading water pollutant, is no longer a threat because it does not contain harmful chemicals thanks to organic farming.

But all this aside, how beneficial is organic food when compared to regular food? Is there a definite answer to this ongoing debate?

It is a well-known fact that organic food costs more, so people wonder whether it is worth all that extra trouble and whether its advantages have been scientifically proven. While there might not be much difference in terms of nutrient composition, organic food is certainly free from some chemicals that may otherwise have a harmful effect on the body.

So how does organic food benefit a pregnant mother and the unborn child?

Organic food has the following advantages which can work in favour of the baby and the pregnant woman:

1. A drop in the amount of pesticide consumed can reduce the ill-effects that pesticides have on the delicate constitution of a baby’s body. Although the pesticide levels are not supposed to cross government-approved limits, long-term exposure to even small amounts can lead to serious health issues.

2. Many foods contain antibiotics that are injected into animals and thus find their way into the food chain. Because of their constant presence, some bacteria become immune to them. It can be very difficult to cure the infection with these antibiotics, now that the bacteria are resistant to them. Organic animal produce such as milk and meat do not contain antibiotics, reducing the chances of unwanted immunisation of bacteria. Thus, the pregnant mother and the baby are both protected from these antibiotics.

3. Hormones are given to animals such as cows to make them produce milk on a regular basis. These cause disruptions in the normal functioning of the body. Organic food is free from hormones, and so the food does not have adverse effect on the pregnancy.

4. Additives such as artificial colouring, preservatives, and flavours are said to be unhealthy. Though not entirely proven, they can cause problems in children who are susceptible to ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). This link has not been established, but it is still better to keep the baby and the mother away from anything that’s artificial and not fresh.

Organic food is the way forward. Although it may not promise to drastically improve the health condition of the foetus and the pregnant woman, it certainly does not introduce anything artificial into the system, and protects the mother and child from harmful chemicals.