A significant number of people are not consuming enough vegetables, resulting in negative health effects. At the same time, the variety of vegetables being cultivated is decreasing, leading to less dietary diversity.
A report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, authored by experts in nutrition, agriculture, and botany from around the world, proposes that increasing vegetable biodiversity is crucial for enhancing both human and planetary health.
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Maarten van Zonneveld, an agricultural scientist who directed the study at the World Vegetable Center, argues that current farming practices are insufficient to tackle global nutrition issues.
“The answer isn’t just to cultivate more vegetables but to grow a wider variety,” he states.
“The biodiversity we need exists in traditional types and wild relatives, and it’s vital to conserve it properly to diversify diets in the face of climate change.”
The research highlights our neglect of mineral and vitamin-rich vegetables that might be more suited to local climates. Globally, people consume about 40 percent less vegetables than the amount recommended for a healthy diet.
This is alarming, as low vegetable intake ranks among the top five dietary risks contributing to global disease burdens. Vegetables often get cut from shopping lists during financial strain, and farmers perceive them as riskier than other crops due to their perishable nature and short shelf life.
In the past, agricultural practices featured a greater diversity of food plants. While there are over 4,000 potato varieties, only five to eight are commonly used in the U.S.
Modern agricultural practices, including artificial selection, monocropping, and genetic modification, along with supply chain limitations, have significantly reduced the variety of vegetables available. A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization review found that 24 percent of vegetable wild relatives are at risk of extinction.
The loss of genetic diversity in vegetables also means losing essential nutrients and adaptability to climate changes. As van Zonneveld and his team note, “A few species, like lettuce, onions, and tomatoes, are global staples, while many others, such as spider plant, slippery cabbage, and bitter gourd, rich in micronutrients and suited to harsh environments, remain regional and are often overlooked in policy-making.”
The spider plant, a leafy green from Africa, is noted for its climate resilience and nutrient density. However, only a few of its varieties are preserved in gene banks, limiting breeding and large-scale production improvements, according to van Zonneveld and his team.
Slippery cabbage, a popular leafy green in the Pacific, shows potential for improving nutrition, particularly for women and children. Bitter gourd, prevalent in Asia and the Caribbean, has many wild relatives that could enhance crops in tropical areas.
Pumpkins, known for their drought and heat tolerance and beta-carotene richness, have commercial significance, yet their genetic resources are underutilized and poorly conserved, as the researchers point out. They suggest these four vegetables as starting points for regional crop diversification, alongside numerous others.
The researchers emphasize the need to cultivate and consume these vegetables before they vanish. “The ongoing biodiversity loss for these and over 1,480 other vegetable species occurs at a crucial time when global food systems need urgent diversification,” the team concludes.
“A global initiative could align local and regional efforts into meaningful improvements in diets worldwide.”
Locally, individuals can diversify their diets by planting ‘landrace’ and ‘heirloom’ vegetable varieties in their gardens. Saving seeds from homegrown vegetables for future planting also helps maintain biodiversity and may result in unique varieties. Additionally, shopping at farmers’ markets and independent stores can offer a wider selection of produce to enhance dietary variety.
The research was published in PNAS.
This article was fact-checked by Rachel Garner and edited by Peter Dockrill. While we pride ourselves on our process, we are only human. If you spot a mistake, please let us know.
