Little evidence of health benefits from organic foods: Stanford study

Nov 05, 2012 (LBO) - Researchers at America's Stanford University have found little evidence to back a widespread belief that organic foods which are sometimes twice as expensive as conventional ones, gives more health benefits, a report has said. A team led by Dena Bravata, a senior affiliate with Stanford’s Center for Health Policy, and Crystal Smith-Spangler, an instructor in the school’s Division of General Medical Disciplines and a physician-investigator at VA Palo Alto Health Care System had done the research.

"There isn’t much difference between organic and conventional foods, if you’re an adult and making a decision based solely on your health," Bravata, was quoted as saying in a report on the Stanford University website.

The research paper had been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on September 2012.

They had not found strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional alternatives, though consumption of organic foods can reduce the risk of exposure to pesticides.

The Stanford study has been triggered by repeated questions from patients about the health benefits or organic food. Bravata had not known how to advise them.

Organic foods had become