Health benefits of regenerative farming
In our Denver functional medicine office, we often include recommendations in our personalized health plans to improve the quality of food patients ingest. One emerging area that we have been looking into is to source foods from facilities that engage in regenerative farming. Regenerative farming is a holistic approach that focuses on building healthy soils and ecosystems, rather than just maximizing yields or profits. It dovetails nicely with the kind of holistic and integrative healthcare we practice at Tendwell.
There are several health benefits to eating food produced by regenerative farming techniques. These benefits come from the fact that regenerative farming prioritizes practices that promote the health of the soil, which in turn leads to healthier plants and animals. Here are a few specific examples:
More Nutritious Food: Regenerative farming practices can lead to higher nutrient levels in the plants that are grown in that soil. This means that the food produced by regenerative farming techniques can be more nutrient-dense than conventionally grown food.
Fewer Chemicals: Regenerative farming practices prioritize natural fertilizers and pesticides, which means that the food produced by these techniques is less likely to contain harmful chemicals. This can lead to lower levels of toxins in the body, which can have a positive impact on overall health.
Higher Antioxidant Levels: Regenerative farming practices prioritize biodiversity, which means that the plants grown using these techniques can contain higher levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for protecting the body against damage from free radicals, which can contribute to a range of health problems.
Lower Risk of Disease: Because regenerative farming practices prioritize soil health and biodiversity, the food produced using these techniques is less likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria or viruses. This can lead to a lower risk of foodborne illness.
Overall, the health benefits of eating food produced by regenerative farming techniques are significant. By prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and natural methods of farming, regenerative farming can produce food that is more nutrient-dense, less contaminated with harmful chemicals, and better-tasting than conventionally grown food.
