Why organic meat really is healthier

ORGANIC milk and meat really are healthier than their non- organic counterparts, it was claimed last night.

Scientists found they contain 50 per cent more beneficial omega- 3 fatty acids. Organic meat also has slightly lower concentrations of two saturated fats linked to heart disease.

Study leader Professor Carlo Leifert, of Newcastle University, said people could increase their omega- 3 intake by choosing organic.

“Nutritionists do not agree on many things, but they all say we should double our intake of omega- 3,” he said.

Western diets lack these important fats, also found in oily fish. They have been linked to reducing cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and better immune function.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, reviewed 196 papers on milk and 67 on meat. Chris Seal, professor of human nutrition at the university, said switching to organic would go some way towards improving intake of important nutrients.

Prof Leifert said the differences were due to organically reared animals eating grass rather than concentrated cereal feeds.

The same team previously studied organic crops and found they had up to 60 per cent higher levels of health- giving antioxidants than conventionally grown fruit and vegetables.