New Report Warns Crop Nutrient Density Has Halved Since 1960s
A new report by Deep Science Ventures (DSV) claims that modern vegetables contain 20% to 50% less essential nutrients than they did in the 1960s. The decline is attributed to decades of breeding for yield rather than nutritional quality, combined with soil degradation and fertilizer regimes that boost biomass without mineral uptake. While independent studies confirm drops in specific minerals like iron and zinc, experts caution that the 'half as nutritious' headline oversimplifies complex data. DSV warns that if GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reduce calorie intake while nutrient density continues to fall, millions of UK adults could face micronutrient deficiencies by 2050. Solutions proposed include better soil management, biofortified crop breeding, and new market incentives for nutrient-dense produce.