I wonder if mass production, hydroponics, accelerated growth process, picking too fast, using chemicals, storing and transporting, etc. mean that fruits and vegetables today contain less vitamins, minerals, nutrients than say 50 years ago past.
Answer
I suspect the most significant change to our health in the last 50 years has been the use of pesticides. The laws around food quality and the use of pesticides have only become stricter in recent decades. For a long time (even before the 20th century) pretty horribly unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly pesticides have been used, which is sometimes still the case, but less so, certainly within the EU.
That does not alter the fact that there can indeed be an effect of mass production, hydroponics and the accelerated growth process, but this often depends on the context. An accelerated growth process can do no harm in some cases if enough minerals are available for the plant. Mass production has its drawbacks, but if there is good management, the disadvantage does not have to be that the food is less nutritious. It is often a nuanced story.
Answered by
ir. Wenke Smets
Bioscience Engineering
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp
http://www.uantwerpen.be
.