It’s true: Organic food is healthier. But according to science, the reasons are different than you think! IMAGE: ©SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

“Organic” is a protected term in Europe. The European organic logo and other seals certify that the food has been grown according to the principles of organic agriculture – the label says nothing about whether it is healthy. Think of organic wine or organic chocolate. Despite this, many people believe that organic food is healthier.

Researches on organic food

• In 2012, Standford University in the US reviewed numerous studies on organic food and concluded that organic food has no significant health benefits. The study analyzed 223 studies that compared levels of nutrients and contaminants. Six studies looked at comparison groups of people who ate an organic diet compared to a conventional diet. However, one long-term study was not included. Although the study is over twelve years old, it is still used as a reference.
• However, the same Standford study also found that fewer antibiotic-resistant bacteria were found in organic meat and poultry.
• In 2018, the German Thünen Report 65 evaluated more than 500 studies comparing organic farming to conventional farming. It found that organic farming makes significant contributions to the environment and society. We will explain what these are in a moment.
• In 2023, the state of Baden-Württemberg presented the Organic Farming Report 2022. Every year, this report examines organic food for harmful substances, pesticide residues, genetic manipulation, correct declaration and authenticity (for example, that organic eggs actually come from an organic farm). As in the past, the study certified a very good result for organic food. For example, 98 percent of the 420 samples taken were completely free of pesticide residues.

What are the advantages of organic food over conventional food?

Even if an organic cucumber does not necessarily have measurably more vitamins than a conventional cucumber from a greenhouse, there are still decisive advantages for your health, as the Thünen Report 65 makes clear:

• Water protection: The absence of pesticides results in measurably less contamination of both surface and ground water.
• Soil fertility is significantly higher in organic farming.
• Organic farming also has a measurable positive effect on biodiversity.

The greatest benefit of organic food is the absence of chemical pesticides. This contributes significantly to the protection of our water resources. It also contributes to the health of the pickers and our own health by ensuring that there are no pesticide residues in our food.

Many of our sustainable hotel partners use organic food during their holidays. The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, for example, is Bioland GOLD certified. Over 90 percent of their food is organic. In addition, our partners ensure that the food is local and in season – because shorter travel distances and the avoidance of storage (and refrigeration) reduce CO2 emissions. Ultimately, this benefits our health, even if it is not directly measurable in a single dish.