Danish research: health benefits of organic produce not proven

Scientific evidence is inconclusive because other variables affect people’s health

The health benefits of consuming organic food cannot be proven with certainty, claim a team of Danish researchers who have compiled the latest available knowledge about the effects of organic farming on nature and society into a 400-page document.

According to Lizzie Melby Jespersen, the co-ordinator of the research project, there are too many variables that come into play and affect people’s health, such as exercise, smoking and drinking alcohol.

Nevertheless, the extensive Danish study ‘Økologiens bidrag til samfundsgoder’ (benefits of organic farming for society) shows organic produce contains fewer residues of pesticides and antibiotics and has more vitamins and minerals than conventional produce.

Moreover, organic farming has a number of beneficial effects for the environment, biodiversity and animal welfare, concludes the study.