When it comes to antioxidant levels, organic tomatoes have been shown to grind conventionally grown tomatoes to a pulp.
That's the conclusion of a Spanish study which found that organic tomatoes work harder for consumers as they contain higher levels of phenolic compounds, plant-based compounds that are known to carry a host of health benefits.
After analyzing a species of tomatoes called Daniela, scientists from the University of Barcelona identified 34 different phenolic compounds, levels of which were higher in organically grown tomatoes compared to conventionally grown plants.
Published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, scientists explain that when tomatoes are grown without the use of fertilizers and pesticides, plants are forced to respond by activating their own defense mechanisms which increases levels of all antioxidants.
"The more stress plants suffer, the more polyphenols they produce," explains study co-author Rosa M. Lamuela.
Meanwhile, the jury is still out when it comes to the health benefits of organic produce versus conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. For example, a 2010 study published in the same journal found that organically grown onions, carrots and potatoes contained about the same levels of antioxidants compared to traditionally raised crops using pesticides and fertilizers.
