Transcript
Sleep Number Ad (0:00)
There's a reason the sleep number smart bed is the number one best bed for couples. It's because you can each choose what's right for you whenever you like. Firmer or softer on either side. Sleep number does that. One side cooler and the other side warmer. Sleep number does that too. You have to feel it to believe it. Sleep better together.
Sleep Number Ad (0:19)
Why choose a sleep number smart bed so you can choose your ideal comfort on either side. Sleep number smart beds sleep start at $9.99. Prices higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Exclusively at a sleep number store near you. See store or sleepnumber.com for details.
Sanjay Gupta (0:39)
Welcome back to Paging Dr. Gupta. This is the podcast where your questions drive the conversation. And this week we're introducing another one of my producers, Sophia.
Sophia (0:51)
Hi, Sanjay. We have some great calls for you today, and the first one is someone we've actually heard from before.
Casey (0:57)
Hi, Sanjay, it's Casey again. I left you a message. Organic versus conventional food. I actually work in the organic industry and have for coming up on 20 years.
Sanjay Gupta (1:09)
And there's a lot of misconception about.
Casey (1:12)
What is and isn't organic food.
Sanjay Gupta (1:16)
Okay, Sophia, thank you. And Casey, great point. I mean, look, I can't tell you how many times I myself have been at a farmer's market or at the grocery store wondering what the real difference is and then deciding, I think, whether it's worth the price and if it's healthier. So, Casey, to your point, let's start with the basics. Let's start with the definition. As simply as I can put it, organic food is considered organic because of the way it is farmed, handled, and processed. Again, farmed, handled, processed. So according to the National Organic Program of the usda, for food to be considered organic, it's got to meet these standards grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers. That also means no genetically modified organisms. Okay, so it doesn't have any of those pesticides or herbicides in it. No need to worry about harmful dyes because these foods can't contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Okay, so if. Are you with me? Flow. Finally, if it's an animal product, the animals then are not given growth hormone or antibiotics. They get organic feed and must have the option to go outside. Must have that option to go outside. We'll come back to that again. For fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products to be certified organic, they need to avoid the use of prohibited substances. Generally, that's going to mean anything synthetic. That's a general rule. You gotta avoid anything Synthetic. When managing pests or weeds or disease or soil. The requirements for animal products are a little bit different. Livestock have to consume an organic diet plus vitamin mineral supplements as needed. Both poultry and livestock, again, must have access to an outdoor space throughout the year. So you're getting the picture here, the picture I'm painting of what is considered organic. As for packaged foods, it's obviously all about the ingredients. So for a food item with multiple ingredients to be considered organic organic, at least 95% of those ingredients have to be certified organic. Now, one thing organic does not mean. It doesn't necessarily mean that the food was grown near you. And organic doesn't automatically mean the food has more nutrients. So knowing all that, the big question then, is organic really healthier? Well, really. Strictly speaking, organic food is not necessarily any more nutritious than conventionally grown food, except in a few instances. For example, few studies have found a higher phosphorus level in many organic foods. Some studies have found a higher omega 3 fatty acid content in organic milk and chicken. But I think the real point at the end of the day where organic food sort of has an edge up is lower pesticide levels. And that's important because high pesticide levels in food have been linked to all sorts of different problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased cancer risks. There's also a lower chance of antibiotic resistant bacteria in meats because they're not using the antibiotics. Look, there's no question that organic food also comes with a higher price tag. If you had to choose which foods to buy organic, then you might try focusing on what the Environmental Working Group calls its Dirty Dozen. That's A list of 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide levels. At the top of that Dirty Dozen list, by the way, are strawberries and spinach. So those are foods and others. You should look up the list. Those foods might be worth buying organic if you can manage it. At the end of the day, the most important thing is getting your fruits and vegetables in, no matter whether or not they're organic or conventional. Most people simply don't get enough fruits and vegetables every day. They don't get enough fiber in their diet. So focus on filling your plate with those healthy options however you can. That's my best advice. When we come back, we got a new question that is 79 years in the making.