If you are what you eat, does that mean eating whole foods makes you naturally beautiful? The short answer is… maybe.

Organic food, as its name implies, is food grown or raised according to approved national and conservation of biodiversity”. [Source: USDA] In other words, responsibly produced food is better for the environment than conventional food. However, whether organic food is better for those who eat organic food remains unknown.

The majority of food production in the United States is not organic. Produce is often treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides to help it grow and protect it from insects. It may be exposed to radiation, which can extend its shelf life and prevent foodborne illness. Or it might have been genetically modified in the lab to be bigger, look more attractive, or be tolerant to things like heat and drought. Likewise, most livestock and poultry are fed inorganic grains, treated with antibiotics to prevent them from contracting diseases, or injected with growth hormone.

Certified organic food accounts for approximately 2% of the U.S. food market and cannot be produced using any of the above methods. Because of this, eating organic can reduce the amount of chemical (and even drug) residues you ingest. Many doctors and experts say this can translate into better overall health — and many dermatologists say it can even improve a person’s appearance. However, scientific research supporting these theories is lacking.

A 2002 study by the nonprofit Organic Materials Review Institute found that 13 percent of organic produce samples contained pesticide residues, while conventionally grown This proportion is 71% of agricultural products. [Source: Baker et al. ] However, a Stanford University study made headlines in 2012 when it concluded that eating organic foods has no significant nutritional benefits—in fact no significant health benefits at all. [Source: Spangler et al. ] Researchers have found that people who don’t eat organic foods may be exposed to more chemicals, but they still have chemical levels in their bodies below levels that could threaten health or safety.

Defend (sometimes) organic products

Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, rather than sugary or nutrient-poor foods, is better for your skin in the long run. But dermatologists debate whether organic versions of these foods are better for your skin tone than conventional ones.

Chris Adigun, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, agrees that organic may not be what some people think it is A health (or beauty) panacea.

“I do not recommend any particular diet regimen to my patients simply because we cannot find any evidence that one diet is better for the skin Or worse,” she said. When it comes to organic products — whether it’s the food you eat or the products you put on your skin — she says there’s no data to suggest they improve appearance any more than non-organic products.

However, Adigun says everyone is different—if a patient finds eating or avoiding certain foods to help manage breakouts or make it easier Their skin looked better, and she wouldn’t ignore their observations. “Of course, I recommend eating a healthy, balanced diet and keeping patients well hydrated,” she adds. “Not because I have any hard-core evidence of a link, but because I believe healthy people tend to have healthy skin.”

Other beauty experts All the more reason to eat organic foods, especially meat and dairy, that would otherwise be treated with antibiotics and hormones. Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist in Montclair, N.J., says eating organic foods may reduce acne over time, while Gilly Munavalli, a dermatologist in Charlotte, N.C., believes that traditional Dairy products cause breakouts in his patients. Adult acne is hormone-related, so limiting exposure to hormones in dairy products may help, Munavalli explained. [Source: NewBeauty.com ]

If you want to eat more organic produce, it’s not a bad idea to start with the foods with the most pesticide exposure idea. A Dozen Dirty is a list created by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group to remind consumers which fruits and vegetables are traditionally the most contaminated. Since its inception, the list has expanded to include “Dirty Dozen Plus” to include apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, peppers, imported nectarines, peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, bell peppers, kale, collard greens and zucchini.