The Good That Bugs Do

It can be disheartening to go out to your carefully-tended garden to find that bugs have been feasting on your organically-grown produce. The chewed-up leaves might cause anger to rise up and make you begin to question whether chemical insecticides are really so bad.

Take heart! Those bug bites are a good thing.

Scientists at Texas A & M University tell us that a bug chomping on leaves triggers a defensive response in organic fruit or vegetables. The stress created by the injury causes the plants to increase production of antioxidant compounds. The antioxidants make the produce more beneficial for you to eat.

“In our study we proved that wounding leaves in plants like those caused by insects produce healthier organic fruit,” said a researcher.

Just thought you would like to know.