In organic milk, there is a lower concentration of elements such as zinc, iodine and selenium compared to milk produced with traditional methods. This was revealed by new research conducted by scientists from the University of Santiago de Compostela, who compared the nutritional values of organic and conventional milk produced by over 30 farms located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula.
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In XNUMX cups milk bio, there is a lower concentration of elements such as zinc, iodine and selenium compared to milk produced with traditional methods. This was revealed by new research conducted by scientists from the University of Santiago de Compostela, who compared the nutritional values of organic and conventional milk produced by over 30 farms located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula.
The discrepancy, according to the scientists, would be due to the absence of some mineral substances in the diets of organically raised cows. The latter, in organic farms, should have diets with integrated natural sources of iodine, such as algae, because the latter is very important for children and pregnant women.
The concentration of nutrients in animal food is linked to the diets of farmed animals. Conventional production methods provide mineral dietary supplements, while in organically farmed animals it depends on the mineral content in the soil.
The controversy concerning the nutritional values of organic products, compared with traditional ones, is once again at the center of the debates. Already, previous studies have shown that in many cases there is no nutritional difference.
On the contrary, there would be gods foods that would be better to choose organic. While some, such as bananas, cabbage, avocados, onions, kiwis or asparagus, do not absorb much pesticides or, in any case, are peeled before being consumed, others since they are more subject to the use of pesticides or medicines, should be purchased only if they are of certified organic origin. or otherwise safe. Among them there would also be milk and dairy products.
But the research from the University of Santiago de Compostela seems to have taken into consideration only the nutritional values. The results showed that the minerals contained in organic milk generally have lower levels than conventional milk, although no differences were found in the amount of toxic compounds such as cadmium.
"The levels of elements that are typically integrated into livestock diets in conventional systems - most notably iodine, copper, selenium and zinc - are higher than those found in organic milk," has explained Marta López, researcher at the University of Santiago de Compostela and co-author of the study.
Founded that organic milk contains lower levels of elements such as copper and zinc, this would not be a problem at all, according to the researchers. milk is not the primary source of these elements in our diet.
“For iodine it's another matter,” adds López. “The contribution of iodine to our diet in countries like Spain is covered by iodized salt, while in other countries, like England, with milk. In Spain, the lack of iodine in some types of milk is particularly relevant for children and their neurological development, but also for people with low-salt diets “.
However, it should be considered that the research has examined only the nutritional values without counting that those who choose to consume organic products, including milk, it does so for many others reasons, of an environmental nature but also of health. Because if on the one hand organic milk would contain fewer elements, on the other it has the undisputed advantage of being free of toxic substances such as pesticides normally used in traditional production. Not to mention the ethical discourse and the conditions in which the cows are raised.
Francesca Mancuso
READ also:
- The advantages of choosing organic foods regardless of nutritional value
- Organic foods? They are beneficial for the environment and health, beyond nutritional values
- Organic foods: no nutritional differences with traditional ones
- 10 foods that would be better to choose organic
