The biggest study into organic food has found that it is more nutritious than ordinary produce – finally there is actually proof that organic is better for you!

A £12m four-year project set in the heart of the UK on a 725 acre farm (actually, it’s sandwiched between Hadrian’s Wall and the A69 to Newcastle upon Tyne) has been conducting a rather unique experiment. Growing side by side is organic and conventional produce that has allowed scientists to carry out rigorous tests on the alternative foods to answer the question: is buying organic actually better for you?

The study found that organic fruit and vegetables contained as much as 40% more antioxidants, which scientists believe can cut the risk of cancer and heart disease. They also had higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc. The differences between organic and conventional produce are apparently so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people not eating the recommended five portions a day of fruit and vegetables.

Researchers grew fruit and vegetables and reared cattle on adjacent organic and nonorganic sites and at other sites in Europe. They found that levels of antioxidants in milk from organic herds were up to 90% higher than in milk from conventional herds.

No surprise really that the organic market has boomed in recent years, growing by 25% annually on average, and is now worth nearly £2 billion a year in the UK. The trend in SA is set to follow suit if the recent natural & organic exhibition is anything to go by.[eat your words] [times online]