Tag: Heirloom vs hybrid

According to studies spanning decades, the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables has significantly declined, with some minerals dropping by as much as 40%. This startling degradation in nutrient density is a key factor behind the widespread feeling that food is simply not as good anymore, with flavors becoming blander over time.

According to a 2004 study published in the *Journal of the American College of Nutrition*, modern vegetable varieties showed declines of 5% to 40% in key nutrients compared to their 1950 counterparts. This research has fueled the popular belief that heirloom vegetables are more nutritious, but the full picture is more complex than simple comparisons.

Multiple studies spanning decades have found a decline in the nutrient levels of many fruits and vegetables. This troubling trend raises the important question: are foods becoming less nutritious, and if so, what are the causes behind this quiet shift in our food supply and what can consumers do?