The organic products industry is proliferating. In 2017, the sales of organic food reached $97 billion, up from only $18 billion in 2000. The increase in sales is attributed to consumers seeking nutritious and clean food that has positive effects on their health and environment.

Regrettably, although organic food sales are growing, conventional food still has the lion's share of the food market. Luckily, you can contribute to the growth of organic food sales by purchasing organic products, including food, personal care items, clothes, pet food, and supplements. This article examines three research-backed benefits you get by purchasing organic products.      

1. Environmental Benefits

Did you know you can become an environment champion by buying organic products? Organic products not only protect the environment but also strive to improve it. Below are the environmental benefits you unleash by using natural products.  

• No Harmful Pesticides

When you buy organic food, you reduce the number of harmful pesticides used in agriculture. Organic food production does not use artificial pesticides and fertilizers that cause environmental degradation. Instead, it uses practices such as cover cropping, composting, and crop rotation to increase soil fertility. 

Pesticides in non-organic foods contaminate the soil, water, and air. For example, when pesticides find their way into water bodies, they contaminate water supplies. By using organic products, you preserve water, soil, and air from pollution.    

• Conserve Fossil Fuels

Organic products contribute substantially to fossil fuel conservation. Traditional agricultural production uses vast amounts of fossil fuels for energy unlike organic food production. Therefore, whether you buy organic dog food, skincare products, or apparel, you conserve fuels consequently reducing their environmental impact.

One study reveals that sustainable farming methods can utilize 23-56% less fossil energy than conventional agriculture. Imagine saving that much energy in this era of climate change. You would make the much-coveted difference in the environment.

2. Health Benefits

Using organic products has numerous health benefits including;

• Healthy diet

As lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity become rampant, it is becoming increasingly fundamental to eat healthy foods. What better way to add a healthy diet to your lifestyle than consuming organic foods. Organic food increases your intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A 2016 survey showed that organic products contain 50% more omega-3 fatty acids. Another study revealed that compared to conventionally grown onions, organic onions contain 20% more antioxidants. Therefore, buy organic foods and say hello to healthy eating.   

• Safety

With organic food products, you are assured of food safety. A study featured in the British Journal of Nutrition discovered that organically grown crops do not have detectable levels of pesticides. Pesticides are detrimental to your body and cause health issues like cancer, skin problems, diarrhea, allergy, asthma, infertility, and neurological disorders. In pregnant women, agricultural pesticides increase adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth abnormalities. Why gamble with your health when you can use organic products and evade health problems?

• Healthy Farm Workers

Did you know that when you use organic products, you promote the health of farm workers worldwide? Every year, thousands of farm workers experience the repercussions of acute pesticide poisoning. They get symptoms such as headaches, nausea, seizures, and shortness of breath.

By buying organic products, you minimize public health risks for farm workers and their families. They are no longer exposed to toxic and persistent pesticides in their environment and food.

3. Inspiring other people's buying trends

When you go organic, you inspire the buying trends of others, especially the people around you. Imagine the number of times you purchase a product –organic or not – and recommend it to your friend or sibling. Research shows that 92% of consumers trust the recommendations of the people they know.

Similarly, the moment you start purchasing organic products and telling your personal network about it, you inspire them to go natural too. You become an ambassador for change and usher in an era of healthy, safe, and environment-friendly organic buying. Who doesn't want that?    

Don't Let the Price Stop You

Yes, organic products are pricey, but we got some good news; the prices of organic food are dropping, and fast. As opposed to 2014, when organic food and beverages cost 27% more than conventional products, currently, they cost 7.5% more –that's around 24 cents more per unit. As such, don't let the price stop you from buying organic; it's more affordable than ever. Also, if you are on a budget, you can opt to buy a few things , and you will still have a huge impact!    

Purchasing organic food and products is an easy and practical way to ensure your health and that of the planet. Research proves that when you buy organic you benefit yourself, your personal contacts, farm workers, and importantly, mother earth. Therefore, the next time you go shopping, choose organic dog food, clothes, groceries, bedding, nutritional supplements, and personal care items. Make an informed choice, buy organic, and inspire others to do the same!