Why nutrients in crops are declining summary
- Nutrient density in some crops has fallen by around fifty percent
- Climate change, soil depletion and breeding priorities drive long-term nutrient loss
- Around twenty eight percent of people face moderate to severe food insecurity
- GLP-1 weight loss drugs increase demand for highly nutrient dense foods globally
- Manufacturers reformulating with protein and essential nutrients gain competitive advantage
Nutrient density in crops is declining. In some crops, it has declined by around 50% in the past half-century.
Crop nutrient decline poses a problem. We already have a world where nutrients are in strong demand, with around 28% of the global population experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity as of 2024, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)
However, a new source of demand for nutrient-dense foods has emerged within the last few years: the prevalence of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
Why are nutrients depleted?
The decline of nutrient density in crops has been taking place for a long time – in fact, around half a century.
Why has this happened? “Climate change is a key part of it, with CO2 levels, depleted soils, and breeding priorities all having an impact,” says Todd Redwood, global managing director for consumer, food and retail at technical standards body BSI.
With the current disconnect between consumers and how their food is made, says Redwood, many people are not currently being directly impacted by this nutrient depletion, other than in potential cost impacts, and malnutrition risk is not severe. But if the current trend continues, this may change.
“With the world’s population projected to reach 10.3bn by 2080, this decline in nutritional content of crops will start to be felt – unless as a society we transform how food is produced globally."
For example, Redwood suggests that methods such as regenerative agriculture will help rebuild organic matter in the soil.
Some of the most important nutrients and ingredients have been depleted, according to one study. These include protein, iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc.
The study suggests reviving traditional foods such as millets, wild date palm, sitaphal, ber and jamun. Many traditional foods have more nutritional value than commonly consumed ones such as wheat and rice.
Why are nutrients in demand?
As the popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists explodes throughout the world, demand for more nutrient-dense food is growing.
Users of the weight-loss drugs consume smaller portions, and because of this, they are in need of more nutrient-dense foods.
While Redwood declines to say whether the depletion of nutrients in crops will necessarily affect GLP-1 users more than other consumers, he is clear that their need of the key nutrients in question is great.
“There’s no doubt the increasingly accessibility of weight loss drugs will put the spotlight firmly on the importance of protein in our diets. We’ve already seen retailers respond to this and rightly so – because there is a serious risk of malnutrition to consider."
Users will need to consider how bioavailable the sources of protein they consume are, as well as whether they contain other nutrients and ingredients, such as essential amino acids, iron, zinc and the B vitamins.
Manufacturers that reformulate their product offerings will gain a competitive advantage, predicts Redwood.
Nutrient density in food is extremely important. Many consumers are overfed but undernourished. With the advent of GLP-1s, this could become an even greater problem.