One of the most comprehensive and definitive studies of its kind has demonstrated that organically grown kiwi fruit contain more health-promoting factors than conventionally grown fruit.

The study achieved high precision by comparing kiwis grown next to each other on the same farm, at the same time, under the same environmental conditions. It was also the first study to examine phenolic compounds.

The organically grown kiwi fruit had increased levels of polyphenols, higher antioxidant activity, and higher levels of vitamin C and important minerals. The scientists conducting the study attributed the differences to the organic fruits surviving against pests in the absence of pesticides. Higher antioxidant activity, for example, is thought to be a natural reaction to stress.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I've written a great deal about the value of organic whole foods to your health versus conventionally grown foods, but some of you may still not be convinced there's any real difference.

Well you simply cannot use that excuse anymore. Organically grown foods have now been definitively shown to contain more nutrients and healthy compounds.

I know this is not rocket science and there has been prevoius research supporting this, but, on average, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic produce. Previous studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and significantly less nitrates (a toxin) in organic crops.

But more importantly, conventionally grown food is often tainted with chemical residues and is genetically modified. Both of these can be harmful to you. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic.

Pesticides can have many negative influences on your health, including neurotoxicity, disruption of your endocrine system, carcinogenicity and immune system suppression. Pesticide exposure may also affect male reproductive function and has been linked to miscarriages in women.

By the way, kiwis are among the list of the dozen "consistently clean" foods cited in the Environmental Working Group's Shoppers' Guide. If you're having a tough time finding a local source of organic foods, I urge you to check out this page of solid resources that may be near you.

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