Stanford Organic Study Ignores Variety Differences

More nutritious because of the holes? Possibly.

Rant readers, please welcome Dr. John Reganold of Washington State University, who has done groundbreaking work demonstrating the value of organic agriculture, including studies that show a correlation between the quality of the soil and the quality of the food it produces. In the wake of the recent furor over a Stanford University review study comparing the healthfulness of organic and non-organic foods, which found little evidence that organic foods are more nutritious, I asked him for his thoughts on the Stanford groups conclusions.

Q: What do you think of the Stanford organic study?

A: Since 2000, there have been at least 12 review studiesmeta-analyses of previous studieslooking at the nutritional quality of organic versus conventionally grown foods. And nine of these studies have found some evidence that organic food is more nutritious. Just three have concluded that there is no consistentdifference or that there is a lack of strong evidence. Another study led by Dr. Kirsten Brandt of Newcastle University that I think is the best study found that organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious. It didnt receive much press when it was published last year, by the way.

One of the differences between the two review studies was whether they included comparisons between different varieties of the same crop, which can vary greatly in terms of nutrition. In the Stanford study, 60% of the comparisons used were between the same cultivar, so presumably 40% were not. Brandt was more picky and only compared like cultivars.

Looking at the big picture, Im glad the Stanford group did the study. They are spurring debate, and I think that is good. While they found that there is a lack of strong evidence for the nutritional superiority of organic foods, they also found that consuming organic food can reduce your exposure to pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Q: The New York Times piece about the Stanford study mentioned that it neglected to include thestrawberry study you led. That study found that there is a connection between the nutritional quality of strawberriesas well as their flavorand soil quality, including the biomass and activity of soil microbes. And that on both fronts, organic wins. In the past, you also were part of a long-running apple study that connected the quality of the fruit with the greater diversity of nematode species in organic soil. Do you think well ever establish once and for all the connection between healthier food and healthier, livelier soil?

A: People think that if you have healthy soil, you have healthy food, but its very difficult to prove. In the case of strawberries, we did show that healthier soils produce healthier food. Does that mean that healthier soils produce healthier food in general? We cant say that.

Q: The Stanford study didnt mention flavor. Your research is unusual in that it considers flavorand has found that organic does taste better.

A: There havent been many taste tests done. My strawberry study did find better flavor in the organics. But the results of other taste tests have not been conclusive.

Q: Okay, as a gardener, I know my homegrown organic produce tastes better than supermarket food, and I have faith that its more nutritious, too, thanks to my beautiful soil and all the creatures in it. But I do find that Stanford study disheartening.

A: Keep on gardening! The Stanford study did find some results that suggest that organic food is better for your health. Youre also reducing the environmental costs of your food, in part because you dont have to drive to the store to buy it. And that connection to the land that we develop when we grow our own food improves our feeling for the whole planet.

Via: Stanford Organic Study Ignores Variety Differences