Do Organics Live Up to the Hype?

Organic food is believed to be better for you, meat- or milk-producing animals that are raised organically are more humanely treated, and farmers who grow organic food leave a smaller carbon footprint.

But are these things actually true?

Organic foods are grown in a healthier environment, which means it's healthier for you. Vegetables and fruits are grown without pesticides. And most believe that vitamins and minerals are more plentiful in organics than non-organics.

Even if all these things are true, eating organically doesn't necessarily mean you'll be healthier. That's because most Americans' diets are full of soft drinks, sweets and other unhealthy foods that offset any advantages they gain from the organic foods they eat, according to The New York Times.

So if you want to be conscious of your diet and the environment, it's probably best to buy locally grown produce and eat healthier foods all the time.