The benefits of eating organic fruit and vegetables highlighted by Men's Health magazine editor Matt Bean

Matt Bean, editor of 'Men's Health Magazine' joined The Early Show to explain the healthy benefits that organic fruit and vegetables can have in a man's diet. (NEW YORK, March 16, 2010)

Although organic food is more expensive than conventional food, Bean says making organics a part of your diet can have a big impact on your health and that of your family.

Bean says, "We discovered ... some pretty shocking and convincing arguments" for going that route.

Health Benefits of Organic Foods:

• More Nutrients: Studies show that organic foods may have increased levels of nutrients like antioxidants than conventionally grown foods

• Fertility Health: Pesticides found in conventionally grown foods have been shown to reduce fertility

• Immune System Protection: The chemicals in non-organic foods may also harm your immune system, leaving you more susceptible to illness and some forms of cancer

• Hormones and weight gain: New research has shown that some agricultural chemicals could actually be making you fat by interfering with your hormone levels.

• Unknown effects of GMOs: Many people are concerned about genetically modified foods, especially since many of them have never been tested on humans. Organic foods are never genetically modified.

When it comes to eating organic, the easiest and most effective way to start is with the basics, explained Bean. Mens Health narrowed down four areas where it really pays to go organic:

Meat/Poultry:

• Organic beef comes from livestock that eats an organic diet, and in June, new FDA regulations will mandate that they spend at least 30 percent of their lives grazing on pasture grasses.

  That’s important, because studies show grass-fed meat has 60% more omega-3s, 200% more vitamin E, and 2 to 3 times as much of a cancer-fighting fat called CLA that might even help you lose weight.

• Likewise, organic chicken is healthier than non-organic chicken. One study found that it has 28 percent more omega-3 fatty acids.

• Studies show that organic milk has 50% more vitamin E, 75% more beta-carotene, and 70% more omega-3 fatty acids than regular. It also has more than double the amount of certain antioxidants that have been shown to keep your eyes healthy as you age.

• Organic milk is also free of commonly used growth hormones, which increases infertility in cows and has been linked to prostate and breast cancers in humans.

• It costs about a dollar more per half-gallon, but it’s worth it. Plus you can generally cut costs by getting coupons online. Stonyfieldfarm.com, for instance, offers printable coupons on their site.

• Organic chickens, like cows, spend a portion of their life grazing.

  This means that, along with their organic feed, they have access to the chicken’s food of choice, which is a cocktail of worms and grubs.

  And when animals eat their favorite foods, humans benefit.

• According to a study from Penn State, eggs from grazing chickens have twice as much vitamin E, 40 percent more vitamin A, and 3 times as many omega-3s. Plus they taste better!

• Compared to mass-produced conventional eggs, organic usually costs a couple extra bucks per carton. But again, that’s a small price for the health of your body and planet.

‘Dirty Dozen’

According to estimates by the Environmental Working Group -- the agency that developed the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list --

you can reduce your pesticide exposure by 80 percent simply by choosing organic versions of these 12 fruits and vegetables:

• peaches,
• apples,
• sweet bell peppers,
• celery,
• nectarines,
• strawberries,
• cherries,
• kale,
• lettuce,
• imported
• grapes,
• carrots and
• pears.

As a general rule, when it comes to edible skins you’d be wise to choose organic fruit and vegetables,.

‘Clean 15’

These 15 fruit and vegetables were the lowest in pesticides, so it's not as important to buy organic versions of them:

• onions,
• avocados,
• sweet corn,
• pineapples,
• mangoes,
  
• asparagus,
• sweet peas,
• kiwis,
• cabbage,
• eggplants,
• papayas,
• watermelon,
• broccoli,
• sweet potatoes,
• tomatoes

Most of these non organic fruit and vegetables are protected from pesticide contamination by thick skins.

Go from Organic Fruit and Vegetables to Home page for more information