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Nutrition is one of those things that have people heavily divided, despite few reasons for that to happen. Since we can all agree that it’s important what we put in our bodies, it’s strange to think that there are arguments regarding something we all agree on. A team of researchers wanted to deflate some of those opinions, so they performed a meta-analysis showing that 50% more omega-3 found in organic meat and milk.
Organic food meta-analysis
The study came as a collaboration between the European Commission and the British charity Sheepdrove Trust, as well as a team of scientists which looked over data from a large umber of previous studies in order to perform the meta-analysis.
The team looked mainly at organic meat and milk, having to go through 196 papers on milk and 67 on meat. This means that with the large amount of previous researches, the meta-analysis is pretty much as accurate as it can get. For something more accurate, a full-fledged study should be performed.
According to the findings, organic produce actually do have higher levels of necessary nutrients, especially the much needed omega-3. Being able to lower the risk for heart disease, the fatty acid was found in a 50% higher concentration in organic produce than in the regular.
Wanting to make sure that the population doesn’t get the wrong idea, the researchers emphasized how there’s nothing magical about organic produce, and that it all depends on what the animal was fed. For example, even a non-organically grown cow could yield similar omega-3 levels if fed most of its life on grass, and then switched to grain.
Omega-3 and your health
There are very few things on which nutritional experts actually agree, so when they agree on something, you know it’s important. Most recent nutritional guidelines advise the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, as they are vital to the human body, though they cannot be produced by it.
We generally get these nutrients from fish and seafood and according to the study from milk and meat coming from cows fed on grass instead of grain. As we’ve evolved as a civilization, we’ve grown away from the sea and its nutrients, and started eating more land-based food.
This has caused us to stop consuming as much omega-3 as we need, and to increase our omega-6 intake. Despite this fatty acid still being vital, we’re currently consuming about ten times the amount we need, and not nearly enough omega-3.
Image source: Wikimedia
