Just recently, researchers from the University of Barcelona have unveiled that organic tomatoes have higher levels of antioxidants than chemically-grown ones!
The Daily Mail has reported that “They detected 34 different beneficial compounds in both the organic and conventional versions… However they found that overall the organic tomatoes contained higher level of the polyphenols. The scientists says this difference between organic and conventional tomatoes can be explained by the manure used to grown them.”
Who would have thought that manure would be so good for you!
According to Spanish researchers, this is no surprise. As they explain:
“plants produce polyphenols to fight off diseases, and when we ingest them, we get the same disease prevention benefits. In a chemically-intensive agricultural system however, the plants’ natural ability to defend itself is diminished as that work is taken on by pesticides and fungicides. Polyphenols are a class of natural antioxidants and they halt the development of certain cancers as well as some chronic conditions due to their anti-inflammatory properties. There is a class of polyphenols called flavonols which impart flavour and taste to fruits or vegetables. That’s the reason why organically grown food is said to taste better, although this is debatable.”
I’ll tell you one thing, based on all of this information I think I’m going to start splurging on organic tomatoes. I mean they are a basis of many of the dishes that I make so why not get more antioxidants while I’m at it.
Will you be eating more organic tomatoes? Let me know in the comments section below!
