Eating Dirt?

Why is the nutrient content of food a big topic at the moment?

There has been recent research released that the food we eat due to our modern farming practices has less nutrients per serving.

For example if you were eating a banana and expecting to get your recommended daily allowance of potassium achieved, in fact you may actually have to eat 1.5 servings instead. 

One reason is our soil has less nutrients from the constant farming practices on the same land and so our crops do not have as much access to absorb food.  

Why is soil health important for us and our food?

Soil-based organisms (SBOs); also known as Dirt; support gut health and immune response. Why, exactly? ⁠
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SBOs nourish cells in the colon and liver and actually create new compounds, such as B vitamins, vitamin K2, antioxidants, and enzymes.⁠
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We are also made of the key elements in the Earth’s crust, such as; calcium. phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, iron, and magnesium. ⁠
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Today we are missing out on key minerals we use to get from the soil, either because our food has been stripped of all soil (sanitisation) ⁠or our food is grown in low nutrient soil.

For a more detailed read on these subjects I recommend If you Eat Dirt by Dr Josh Axe⁠ or Dirt Is Good by Jack Gilbert⁠.

So does organic food have more nutrients? 

Tests have shown Organic Foods have more micronutrients than the exact same food that is not organic.

Organic foods are generally produced in high-quality topsoil providing a higher likelihood of soil-based microbiomes (even after gentle washing) being part of your food intake. ⁠

Also there is the added benefit of less exposure to pesticides and some are not easy to come off.

How to source more nutrient dense food?
Local farmers market who sell organic foods especially those foods that look a little odd i.e. strange shape carrots with the roots still on.

These are so much better for you as one you can see:

• They have not been artificially grown or enhanced to “look perfect”
• They have their roots / soil still attached (ideally you will eat a bit even after a gentle wash - sounds strange but it is surprisingly healthy).