On Dec. 29, The Organic Center, an independent non-profit research and education organization whose mission is to convene credible, evidence-based science on the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming, and to communicate the findings to the public, issued a press release intended to help people ring in the New Year and truly turn over a healthy leaf.

In the release, the center transformed the top ten studies of 2014 into New Year’s resolutions that show how to improve the state of your diet and the state of our planet by choosing organic.

One: Be health-minded. Eat organic.

Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, findings from the latest research on the effects of organic agriculture and crops on public health found a clear health advantage in consuming organically produced foods.

The findings concluded the lower pesticide residue levels in organic produce were a significant factor in helping account for the benefits.

Two: Get pesticides out of your life.

A study showed that eating an organic diet for just seven days can significantly reduce exposure to pesticides. The research found pesticide metabolite levels in a group of individuals who ate a diet of at least 80 percent organic for a week were cut by up to 96 percent.

Three: Load up on antioxidant-rich foods.

Another 2014 study showed organic fruits and vegetables have higher levels of antioxidants by an average of 20-40 percent.

Four: Bee concerned.

Commercial beekeepers are losing an average of 30 percent of their colonies each winter, causing problems on crops such as almonds, apples, cucumbers, avocados, oranges and berries. A major contributor to bee deaths is exposure to pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids.

Five: Save organic citrus.

Citrus greening has devastated thousands of acres of citrus trees in the nation. Research on controlling this disease focuses on toxic pesticide sprays and the development of GMO citrus varieties. The Organic Center has teamed up with professors at universities, industry members and organic growers to launch a large-scale study looking at organic solutions to citrus greening.

Six: Do your part. Help slow climate change.

Rodale Institute research shows good news for climate change mitigation: organically managed soils could reverse the trend of increasing CO2 in the atmosphere.

Seven: The more the merrier! Support biodiversity.

A study in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that organic farms support more species than conventional farms. On average, organic farms support 34 percent more plant, insect, and animal species than conventional farms.

Eight: Focus on soil health.

A study on healthy soil biodiversity published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development found that conservation and organic farming techniques boost the number of soil organisms.

Nine: Listen to the birds.

An article in the Journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment compared availability of “nestling” food on organic and conventional farms. It reported that research shows that organic farming is healthier for birds.

Ten: Keep away from toxins.

A study led by Organic Center Science Advisory Board member Professor Gilles-Eric Séralini showed that major pesticides are more toxic to humans than suggested by their active ingredients.

The Organic Center operates under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association.