Deep Science Ventures study finds declining food nutrient density

A new study by Deep Science Ventures reveals that modern food contains significantly fewer minerals than it did 60 years ago. To obtain the same amount of essential minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, or copper, individuals would need to consume nearly twice as much fruit, vegetables, and other foods as they did in the 1960s.

Researchers found that crops like wheat, apples, carrots, and peas have lost between 20 and 50 percent of certain key nutrients since the 1960s. This decline is attributed to deteriorating soil quality and decades of selective breeding focused on maximizing crop yields rather than nutritional density. While grain yields per hectare have increased by 215 percent since the 1960s, the nutritional value within those crops has diminished.

Will Samers, a senior associate for climate issues at Deep Science Ventures, noted that while food security has been successfully measured by calories and tonnage, the internal nutritional quality has been overlooked. The study also warns that the rising use of weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, could exacerbate the issue by reducing food intake. In the United Kingdom, researchers estimate that approximately five million working-age adults could fall below safe intake levels for certain essential vitamins and minerals.