Organic Fruit & Vegetables are better for your heart

The Times (5 July 2007) reports that scientists at the University of California have discovered that organic fruit and vegetables may be better that regular fruit and veg for the heart and for general health. The findings of the 10 year study are due to be published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The results reveal that organic tomatoes have double the quantity of flavonoids (a kind of antioxidant) which help prevent high blood pressure and reduce the likelihood of heart disease or stroke. The research team believes that the different levels of flavonoids in tomatoes are due to the absence of fertilisers in organic farming. Food chemist Alyson Mitchell who led the research at the University of California, believes that flavonoids can also help to stave off some forms of cancer and dementia.