Organic and conventional oats are nutritionally identical.

Image Credit: timbudd/iStock/Getty Images Organic farming methods are markedly different from conventional growing methods, and according to a research review published in 2014 in the “British Journal of Nutrition,” organic crops may also contain higher antioxidant concentrations (see Ref 1). Although organic and conventional oats have the same nutritional information and benefits, there is a chance organic oats could be safer to consume because they are not produced with chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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Pesticide Residue

Just because organic oats are not grown with direct pesticide application doesn’t mean they are completely free of pesticide or chemical residue. According to the results of a study published in “Food Control” in 2013, the number of organic oat samples testing positive for toxin residue was actually higher than the number for conventional samples. However, the conventional samples that did contain toxin residue had higher concentrations of those toxins (see Ref 2).

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Other Factors

Other than their production methods, there are no discernible differences between conventional and organic oats. They both come in rolled, instant, quick or steel-cut forms, they are both whole grains and you can use them interchangeably in any recipe.

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  references
  
      British Journal of Nutrition: Higher Antioxidant and Lower Cadmium Concentrations and Lower Incidence of Pesticide Residues in Organically Grown Crops
    
      Food Control: Mycotoxin Content of Organic and Conventional Oats from Southeastern Poland
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  references
  
      British Journal of Nutrition: Higher Antioxidant and Lower Cadmium Concentrations and Lower Incidence of Pesticide Residues in Organically Grown Crops
    
      Food Control: Mycotoxin Content of Organic and Conventional Oats from Southeastern Poland

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Organic and conventional oats are nutritionally identical.

Image Credit: timbudd/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: timbudd/iStock/Getty Images

      British Journal of Nutrition: Higher Antioxidant and Lower Cadmium Concentrations and Lower Incidence of Pesticide Residues in Organically Grown Crops
    
      Food Control: Mycotoxin Content of Organic and Conventional Oats from Southeastern Poland