Lost nutrients: the silent crisis in modern food

Several studies have shown a significant drop in the levels of vitamins and minerals in today’s fruits and vegetables compared to those grown a few decades ago.

Two examples that really stood out to us:

• Tomatoes: In the past 60 years, the vitamin C content in tomatoes has dropped by 59%¹.
  
• Spinach: Analysis reveals a 96% reduction in copper and a 60% reduction in iron².
  
• The nutritional value of many popular vegetables has dropped since 1950. A 2004 American study found that key nutrients in some crops are up to 38% lower than they were in the mid-20th century⁵.

Several factors contribute to the loss in nutritional quality:

1. Harvest and transport practices: Fruits and vegetables are often picked before they’re fully ripe to survive transportation and last longer on shelves. But early harvesting limits their nutritional development.
   
2. Soil depletion: Overuse of farmland drains the soil of essential minerals, directly affecting the nutrient quality of crops. Just like our gut needs a variety of microbes to stay healthy, soil also needs diverse microorganisms to nourish plants. Overexploited land loses these vital microbes, making the soil less fertile and crops less nutritious. Once you focus on soil health, plant health naturally improves⁷.
   
3. Selective breeding: Choosing crop varieties based on appearance or resistance often comes at the cost of genetic and nutritional diversity.
   
4. Genetic modification: While GMOs can increase yields and pest resistance, they can also unintentionally reduce nutrient content in crops.
   
5. Climate change: Shifting climate conditions affect plant growth and can alter nutrient profiles. For example, higher CO₂ levels may increase carbohydrate content but reduce essential minerals like zinc and iron.

This drop in nutritional density has real health consequences:

• Nutrient deficiencies: Eating foods that are consistently lower in nutrients can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

• Chronic disease risk: A less nutritious diet can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease³.

There are still many unknowns in how agriculture and nutrition interact — but here’s what we do know: more than 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies globally. Tracking the nutrients could unlock massive public health benefits⁶.

In the face of these challenges, here’s what we’re doing:

• Prioritizing organic sourcing: We aim to use organic ingredients to ensure purity and sustainability.
  
• Choosing naturally nutrient-rich sources
  
• Supporting sustainable farming practices: We back agricultural methods that protect soil health and biodiversity.
  
• Spreading awareness: We want to spark conversations about nutrient density and encourage diverse, balanced eating habits.

As a small independent company, we deeply care about the health of our children and our planet. As we grow, we’re committed to scaling our efforts to nourish both people and the Earth.

Let’s build a food system that supports our health — and the planet’s

Sources

¹ Comprendre pour agir

² Sagesse santé

³ Pileje

⁴ Insentials

⁵ NCBI

⁶ World Health Organization

⁷ Rodale Institute