Kerala - Kochi   

`Organic food can reduce incidence of cancer'

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, JUNE 5. Scientists and staff of the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, under the banner of ORFA Club, have advocated the consumption of organic products to reduce the incidence of cancer.

At a press conference here today, Dr. Prabha Balram, president of the organisation, said the level of pesticides and preservatives in vegetables and fruits had been found to be higher than the permissible limits.

This was one of the causes of cancer. Artificial manure prevalent all over the world was also hazardous to man as well as nature, she said.

Most of the pesticides were not biodegradable and accumulated through the food chain. Many of them were carcinogens and were linked to other diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Some of them were able to trigger hormone-related diseases, she said.

It was estimated that more than two-thirds of the pesticides used enter the environment, contaminate the ground, water, lakes, streams and soil and adversely affect the non-target organisms, including man.

The excessive and continued use of these chemicals would reduce the amount of organic matter in the soil, thereby reducing the ability of the plants to produce nutrients.

Dr. Balram said consumption of organic food would reduce the bane of many lifestyle diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Many reports showed that organic food had higher content of vitamins and minerals, she said.

The ORFA is engaged in spreading the message of organic farming and its benefits. Organic farming could be done even in pots, she said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• `Lapses in eco conservation led to drought'
• Protest marks inaugural function
• Woes of a dying beach
• `Organic food can reduce incidence of cancer'
• Thykoodam subway to be ready soon
• GIDA to seek legal opinion on land sale
• Nurses allege harassment
• Two killed in accident
• Protest against farm policies
• Environment quiz contest
• Seminar on peace
• Heavy rain lashes city
• Around The City
• In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu