Every year through research we learn more ways to become healthier. Environmental and personal health are valid concerns in today’s world, and fortunately, organic gardening is gaining momentum as a way to improve both. Though there are misconceptions about organic gardening, it is a highly beneficial hobby.
Whether you’re interested in minimizing the pesticides that you take in or are seeking a way to use your hands, organic gardening is healthy no matter which way you slice it. Below are some main reasons why organic gardening is healthy for you mentally and physically.
Organic Gardening Produces Many Health Benefits
Currently, the EPA considers 30 percent of all insecticides, 60 percent of all herbicides, and 90 percent of all fungicides to be carcinogenic. The fact is that pesticides may cause an extra 4 million cancer cases among Americans. In an effort to avoid becoming part of that statistic, you have the option of turning to organic gardening.
Thanks to additional research that has taken place, studies have proven that the pesticides and fertilizers sprayed on produce can be linked to the following health issues:
• Autism
• Infertility
• Depression
• Parkinson’s
• Miscarriages
• Birth defects
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Childhood leukemia
• Damaged brain function
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
So the most obvious benefit of organic gardening is the fact that you’ll skip the risk of developing the above health concerns. While this is pretty simple logic, people are still being misinformed about the “toxic load” that’s taking place and as a result, consumers don’t realize that a) the number of chemicals they are exposed to is greater than what labs test for, and b) all of the so-called “safety” of fertilizers and pesticides has created a false sense of security.
The bottom line is that it’s much easier to control what’s in your own garden than what comes from a farm states or countries away. For this reason, organic gardening is much healthier than buying produce in the supermarket.
In addition to avoiding the downright dangerous pesticides, you’ll also be receiving more nutrients your body needs in order to be fully functional by consuming organic produce. It has been researched and proven that organic foods contain more nutrients and minerals than food grown with synthetic pesticides. Plus organic food tastes better, which is why many chefs call for and use organic ingredients and food in their recipes.
Organic Gardening Produces Multiple Environmental Benefits
When discussing the benefits of organic gardening that make it a healthy activity, it’s also important to factor in the health of the environment. In addition to the damage that pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides do to the human body, they also contribute to groundwater toxicity levels.
Because most pesticides are non-discriminatory, they kill off beneficial insects and plants as well as harmful ones. Recently, harmful chemicals have been linked to the decrease in bee colonies, as well as butterflies and other helpful pollinators.
By growing your own organic gardening, not only are you keeping yourself healthy by avoiding exposure to such harmful pesticides, you’re also keeping the earth and its creatures healthy.
