Natalie Louise Burrows, Nutritionist and Clinic Director at Integral Wellness
Organic food has experienced a significant surge in popularity over the past few decades, and yet, it may be hard to believe there was a time when organic food was all you could buy. The term organic simply refers to reliance on natures processes, the biodiversity of the planet and the cycles of the seasons.
You’ll have to go back to the early 1800s to find a time when everything was ‘naturally organic’, as it was the 1850s when the first ‘sprayer’ was known to have been used in the US and approximately 90 years later, in the 1940s, the UK began targeting pests and weeds with organophosphates, too.
So, less than a century after these chemicals began to be used in our environment and soils, what impact are we seeing on our health?
What are these chemicals?
Organophosphates are a class of chemical compounds used for pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, flame retardants and nerve agents. (Specifically for this conversation, we will stick to their use on the produce we consume, but you may want to check out their other uses.)
The chemical compound, organophosphate, is formed via a chemical reaction involving phosphoric acid and alcohol, and it inhibit acetylcholinesterase; a crucial enzyme in the body that helps regulate a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This inhibition can lead to an accumulation of acetylcholine at synapses and neuromuscular junctions, resulting in symptoms such as excessive sweating, nausea, and muscle twitching - hence, its use as a nerve agent.
However, the effects of organophosphates aren't limited to humans. It was understood that they could also influence the biochemistry of animals, plants, and insects, and so their use as a pesticide began.
It is important to note (because we don’t want to scare you) that the effects depend on how much exposure there is and for how long; whether it's a one-time high dose or small amounts over a long period, organophosphates can cause various levels of impact. This is most obviously seen by the persons using organophosphates at close range wearing protective clothing or those using them within long-armed spray machines that don’t have much protection at all.
This context matters because when we think about our food, we’re thinking about the build-up over time - and most importantly, the build-up on top of other pollutants, low-nutrient diets (approximately 60% of the average UK diet is ultra-processed) and additional health conditions.
There comes a point when we have to ask the question, was our body (and our detoxifying organs) ever designed to cope with all this?
What does the research say about organic food?
Understanding if non-organic food influences the rate of non-communicable diseases could help you understand where to place your food shopping budget.
Non-communicable diseases are diseases that cannot be spread and, therefore, include conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and mental health disorders - illnesses that are sadly prevalent and constantly rising here in the UK and across the Western world.
A new September 2024 systemic review evaluated the data from 21 primary research articles published between 2006-2022, looking at the health outcomes of healthy adults (over 18) consuming organic food for over 6 months, assessing the “direct or indirect effect of organic food consumption on human health compared to the conventional food.”
This systemic review concluded that observational and experimental studies did show the benefits of an organic-based diet, although definitive conclusions were hard to draw.
Insight into the health benefits of organic came from particularly research for type 2 diabetes, overweight or obesity, Metabolic Syndrome (a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and higher body weight). Additionally, observational impacts of organic food have also been reviewed on overall health, mental well-being, better gastrointestinal function, and improved skin, hair, and nail condition.
Fair consideration exists for whether autoimmune conditions and the immune system, in general, are exacerbated due to the organophosphate chemical compound's structure. Although nothing is conclusive to date, research in this area is challenging, and the absence of research is not research of absence.
Are there higher nutrients in organic food?
From a nutritional perspective, a 2014 systemic review and meta-analysis found that organically grown crops had higher antioxidant concentrations and lower cadmium levels (found in cigarettes and can damage the lungs).
Another study found that increased levels of iron, magnesium, vitamin C and phosphorus may also be present in organic food. This is particularly worth considering when iron deficiency is a common problem in the UK and significantly impacts a person's overall health, including thyroid function, energy levels, exercise ability, and muscle health. Equally, if you choose to eat a vegan diet, pesticide-sprayed leafy greens may not provide you with the amount of iron you thought - making appropriate supplementation even more important.
Organophosphates' effect on magnesium in foods is potentially through the chemical's impact on soil pH, which interferes with plant nutrient uptake and potentially binds to magnesium, making it less available (we lack the mineral, selenium, across European soils due to the acidity so pH really does matter). As a result, this can decrease dietary magnesium intake. The mineral magnesium is crucial for over 300 biochemical processes in the body, including energy metabolism, DNA, muscle and nerve function, and bone health. Insufficient magnesium intake can lead to various health issues and everyday challenges, including low energy and poor sleep.
How do you choose organic when shopping?
Organic food is more expensive (which seems mad as that’s a more natural product) as growing crops faster with higher yields equals better prices. But if you’re keen to put some of your food shop budget towards organic produce, we recommend picking the worst offenders. In the UK, Pesticide Action Network UK (PANS) has researched the dirty dozen (in the US, EGW have done the same).
Recorgnising organic produce has been made easier by the certification from The Soil Association; a charity that recognises organic products and promotes sustainable farming and food practices. The Soil Association’s standards for something to be classed as organic cover how the food is grown, harvested, processed and supplied. Their website states that ‘70 percent of organic food and drink products in the UK feature the Soil Association organic logo’.
The takeaway
It’s always key to appreciate the broader health picture. No single factor happens on its own. Although organophosphates have been sprayed on UK soils for over 80 years, other health factors have also risen, including a more sedentary lifestyle, ultra-processed foods, higher stress levels, worse rates of sleep, etc.
Based on what science tells us today, it is best to limit pesticide exposure where possible and as much as possible. Use the dirty dozen and the soil association logo to help you weed out the worst offenders to clean up your shopping. But do so alongside improving other areas of your life and health for a well-rounded approach.
And if you do have to buy non-organic items? Peel them, scrub them or if they have a soft skin, soak them in water with apple cider vinegar and bicarb to help clean off the pesticide residue as much as possible.
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About the author
Natalie Louise Burrows is a registered nutritional therapist (BANT, CNHC) and clinic director at Integral Wellness, a nutrition and health clinic specialising in cardiometabolic health. Along with her clinic team of nutritionists, they help men and women regain their energy, control their cravings and avoid and reverse type 2 diabetes.They also address health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, fatty liver and heart disease, and weight challenges. Click here to book a free call to find out how you can achieve your health goals.
