Organic milk, meat richer in omega-3 — study

PARIS: Organic milk and meat contain about 50 per cent more beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally produced equivalents, according to a pair of large-scale studies published Tuesday.

Previous research has linked omega-3 with reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development, and better immune function.

A team of two dozen researchers led by Carlo Leifert, a professor at Newcastle University in England, combed through nearly 200 peerreviewed studies on milk, and 67 on meat. They found clear differences between organic and non-organic products, especially when it came to omega-3.

“Western European diets are recognisedasbeingtoolowinthese fatty acids, and the European Food Safety Authority recommends we should double our intake,” said co-author Chris Seal, also from Newcastle University.

“Our study suggests that switchingtoorganicwouldgosome way towards improving intakes of these important nutrients.”

Half a litre (one US pint) of organic, full-fat milk or its equivalent in other dairy products, for example, was found to provide 16 percent of the recommended daily dose of so-called long chain omega-3, while conventional milk provides 11 per cent.

There are no additional calories in equivalent organic dairy or meat products. Most people choose organic products for one or more of three reasons: animal welfare, the environment, and health.

“But much less is known about impacts on nutritional quality,” Leifert said in a statement.

Scientists not involved in the research suggested that the health gains identified were minimal.

They also pointed out that the higher omega-3 levels were not directly related to the fact that the products were organic.

“It is the choice of feed, not the organic farming method, which makes the difference,” said Ian GivensoftheUniversityofReading. Organic animals are generally grass-fed.

Modest gains in omega-3 from goingorganicmustalsobeweighed against the potentially negative impact of saturated and trans fats also found in dairy and meat, others pointed out. — AFP