Fruits and vegetables have lost an average of 16% of calcium, 27% of vitamin C, and almost half of iron levels in the past 60 years.
The decline in nutrients is attributed to increases in yield and hybridization.
Hybridization has extended the shelf life of tomatoes but has also resulted in a decrease in flavor.
Seed companies prioritize productivity and shelf life over taste.
Efforts are being made to create hybrids that retain quality and taste.
Why have fruits and vegetables lost nutrients over time?
—The decline in nutrients is due to increases in yield and the process of hybridization.
What is hybridization?
—Hybridization is the process of cross-pollinating plants by placing pollen from one plant onto the flower of another to create a hybrid with desired traits, such as extended shelf life.
What are the consequences of hybridization?
—While hybridization has extended the shelf life of tomatoes, it has resulted in a decrease in flavor.
Why do seed companies prioritize productivity and shelf life over taste?
—Seed companies prioritize productivity and shelf life because they are important factors for the market.
Are there efforts to create hybrids with better taste?
—Yes, efforts are being made to create hybrids that retain quality and taste, as consumer preferences are shifting towards better-tasting produce.
00:00Over the past 60 years, fruits and vegetables have lost an average of 16% of their calcium, 27% of their vitamin C, and almost half of their iron levels.
02:36Hybridization has extended the shelf life of tomatoes, but it has also resulted in a decrease in flavor.
05:43The decline in nutrients is attributed to increases in yield and hybridization, which prioritizes productivity and shelf life.
09:45Efforts are being made to create hybrids that retain quality and taste, as consumer preferences shift towards better-tasting produce.
