Organic food is produced without the use of artificial fertilisers, chemicals, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Organic food, for this reason, is likely to contain lower residues of agricultural chemicals than conventionally farmed food, but due to general environmental pollution these products cannot be completely free of residues. Organic farming makes use of traditional methods, such as crop rotation, composting, recycling of farm produced material such as animal manure, hand weeding, environmentally friendly biological pest control, homeopathic remedies and free range animal rearing. The primary goal of organic farming is to ensure the optimal interdependent functioning of the soil, plants, animals and people in the ecosystem.

It is important to realize that the production of organic foods requires the same good manufacturing practices, production practices, compositional standards, labelling and regard for food safety as the rest of the food industry, including conventional farming.

Eating organic food regularly can help solve several health problems. Studies show that organic diets lead to less exposure to pesticides and antibiotics and that organic foods contain more fibre, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats than conventional foods. Eating organic can also reduce the risk of overweight and obesity, both for women and men, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the case of women.

Organic produce may have higher levels of antioxidants, which have been linked to improved heart health and a reduced risk of heart disease. Organic meat and dairy products are free from synthetic hormones, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Organic fruits, vegetables and grains are grown without using most synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilizers, reducing the number of chemicals in your food. Organic milk has been found to have less saturated fat than non-organic milk.

Organic foods have also been linked to improved immune health. Organic foods contain more vitamins and minerals, which can help strengthen the immune system. Eating organic can also reduce exposure to Roundup, a herbicide classified as a probable human carcinogen, and chlorpyrifos, an insecticide associated with developmental delays in infants.

Organic foods can help reduce the risk of certain allergies, as they are free from preservatives which can trigger allergic reactions. Organic foods are also better for the environment and help minimize damage to soil fertility, salinity and blue-green algae in waterways. Organic farmers also try to use physical weed control and animal and green manure.

In summary, there are many health benefits to eating organic food regularly. Regular organic food consumption can reduce pesticide and antibiotic exposure, provide more nutrients, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, and help reduce the risk of certain allergies, heart diseases, and cancers. Eating organic can also be beneficial for the environment, helping to reduce damage to the soil and water.

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Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading reasons for deaths worldwide. According to a study by The Lancet, cardiac illness contributed to 28 per cent of total deaths in 2016 in India. The main causes of cardiac or heart diseases are drug abuse, diabetes, excessive intake of alcohol, smoking, and stress, etc. However, one of the leading causes is high cholesterol, which is caused by oily and fatty foods. These foods have the ability to block the arteries, which are responsible for the blood to reach other body organs from the heart.

Certain processed foods containing preservatives, refined sugars and other unhealthy components must be kept at bay to keep the arteries clear from fat. There are also a number of practices which one can adopt to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as - trimming down on massively processed foods, opting for low sodium foods, shifting from soda and energy drinks to water, etc.

"Millions of people prefer pharmaceutical solutions to treat diseases and to keep their hearts healthy, but no magic would work without a proper diet and exercise. Multiple kinds of research and theories have proved that a plant-based diet has significant benefits to reduce the risks of fatal conditions. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and fruits which are grown organically without the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers, have high potential to fulfill one’s nutritional requirement and prevent diseases," said Rishabh Chokhani, founder and CEO, Naturevibe Botanicals.

Organic food has gained a lot of popularity in recent years accompanied by the sprouting of supermarkets and shops that specialize in selling this food. Although the younger generation seems to be well informed on the health and environmental benefits of eating organic, one major concern that still remains is that they don’t come cheap. In fact, the cost is the only downside of eating organic food, one that prevents most people from making it a lifestyle choice. The end result involves consumption of an unpleasant mix of non-organic and organic foods, a 70/30 ratio that doesn’t really help the body as much.

Pesticide-ridden, genetically modified non-organic foods deliver harmful neurotoxins that are damaging to the brain and nerve cells. They cause intestinal damage, allergies, liver and pancreatic problems, and are linked with cancer as well. And, they don’t just stop with your body; they affect the environment as well. Organics, on the upside, do not deliver such harmful results. They are more nutritious and contain higher levels of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and chromium. What’s more, they are cultivated free of pesticides and fertilizers and are environment friendly.

So what are the ways to make organic food more affordable? For that, we need to understand the concept of organic foods. Unlike what most people believe, organics is not restricted to vegetables alone. It extends to grains, lentils, flour, eggs, meat, and processed foods as well. Now, that would seem huge to anyone! Organic veggies alone are not affordable at times. Imagine adding other organics to them! Seems impossible right? Well, not really. There are ways to inverse that 70/ 30 ratio without burning a hole through your wallet.

PRACTICE PORTION CONTROL: This works well in India, because our typical meal comprises of rotis/ rice with gravy/ vegetables. In this case, it may not be possible for everyone to acquire organic flour or rice. Organic vegetables are easier to obtain. Therefore, make them your priority. Try to cultivate the practice of eating less rice/ rotis and more veggies. Make your children practice the same. Eating this way also ensures lower calorie consumption.

DO IT YOURSELF: Make your own organic food at home. Refrain from buying store bought jams, chips, juices, and yogurt. Instead, juice your organic fruits and make jam out of the pulp. Sun-dry your organic veggies for chips before baking or frying them and replace store-bought ice cream with healthy, homemade frozen yogurt.

BUY WHOLESALE: Bazaars and local markets, especially those located on the outskirts have people selling fresh produce, meat, and grains year round. Most of the vegetables are homegrown, chickens and goats are farm-bred, and the grains and rice are supplied directly from farms. They are also fairly cheap when purchased in large quantities. You can buy vegetables and meat and freeze them in portions for later use. Grains can also be bought wholesale and ground to make flour or rice can be stored in air tight containers for a few months.

BUILD A HOME GARDEN: Most of the herbs used in every day cooking can be grown in small spaces such as a terrace or a balcony. Coriander, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Wheatgrass, and Green Onions can be regrown from the left over stems and seeds that are usually discarded after cooking. Cherry tomatoes and curry leaves can be homegrown as well. For better results, you can add manure, tea extract sans the sugar (wash them thoroughly before emptying them into your pots), and even discarded egg yolks!

Recycle, replant, and re-grow. Make this your mantra.