Are Organic Foods Better for You?

Nov. 29, 2006 — -- There may have been a time, years ago, that the word "organic" was a rare sight in the grocery store aisles.

Watch "World News" tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET for the conclusion of our series on organic food.

No longer. From produce to potato chips, consumers today have at their fingertips a host of organic choices for a wide range of foods.

The question remains, however -- are organic choices really any better for you?

The debate surrounding this question has forced both consumers and experts to examine nutritional value, exposure to pesticides, and even the meaning of the word "organic."

"Most consumers don't know what the term 'organic' means, how it differs from certified organic, and it clearly is a perception of better -- marketing at its best," said Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

"Organic can be a gimmick," said Dr. David Katz, associate clinical professor of public health and medicine at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. "For example, marshmallows could be organic, but so what? Organic Cheese Doodles could be made, but wouldn't be nutritious."

"Sometimes 'organic' is used to make people think a product is wholesome," Katz said.

When consumers spend extra money on organic foods, what they expect to get is more of the things that they want, such as nutrients, and less of the things that they don't, such as pesticides.

As far as nutrition is concerned, though, they could be paying extra for little, if any, additional benefit.

"There is no good evidence that organically grown plants or animals are nutritionally superior to conventionally grown," said Robyn Flipse, a registered dietitian with Nutrition Communication Services in Bradley Beach, N.J. "The nutrient composition of any plant is dependent on the soil condition, rainfall, sunlight and seed variety. These factors can vary widely for both organic and conventionally grown."

Nonorganic foods tend to contain higher levels of pesticides, however -- a red flag for those who believe the chemicals pose health risks.