Quite some time ago researchers found out that farm animals would grow larger and fewer would die, if various antibiotics were added to their food. When farmers actually started feeding livestock antibiotics the animals started becoming resistant to not just intended bacteria, but all kinds of bacteria—even ones animals didn’t get antibiotics for. Now we’re worried about super bugs, bacteria resistant to nearly all types of antibiotics. Thankfully researchers have been conducting studies regarding the use of essential oils, oils from plants, in animal feed instead of antibiotics. Researchers have discovered that animals fed various essential oils—like cinnamon, chili pepper, and oregano extract—grow larger and are resistant to injected infections. While more studies need to be done before this idea is commercially viable, the end of antibiotics our food could be on the horizon.
Essential oils could replace antibiotics for farm animals
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