Soil nutrient depletion and human health. Why the Soil Beneath Us Matters — And How Its Decline Affects Your Health
- Wellnes concierge
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Our modern world often overlooks one fundamental truth: nutrient-rich food begins in nutrient-rich soil. Yet, due to decades of industrial agricultural practices, the very foundation of our food system—our soil—is becoming dangerously depleted.
What’s happening in our soils?
Since the mid‑20th century, intensive farming, monocropping, overuse of synthetic fertilizers, and soil erosion have drained essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and selenium from the soil
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.699147/
https://acendhealth.com/soil-depletion-equals-nutrient-depletion/
One study found that the protein content in wheat dropped by 23% from 1955 to 2016, directly linking soil degradation to reduced nutritional quality of our staple crops .
New Report Reveals Crucial Links Between Soil Quality and Human Health, Calls For Global Action
Globally, over 2 billion people suffer from deficiencies in soil-derived micronutrients—especially iron and zinc—which silently undermine immune strength and cognitive health .
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Why this matters for you - soil nutrient depletion and human health.
Lower nutrient density in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes means you may not get enough essential vitamins and minerals, even on a “healthy diet.”
Missing micronutrients harm energy, mental clarity, hormone balance, and resilience—the very states SMATEOM programs are designed to restore.
Soil depletion is not just food production—it’s a human health issue, with links to depression, fatigue, and immune dysfunction.
What you can do: Reconnect through plants and soil-smart practices
Prioritize nutrient-dense, biodiverse produce
Choose locally grown, heritage, or heirloom varieties whenever possible. These often retain more complex nutrient profiles lost in modern high-yield crops .
Support regenerative agriculture
Fruits and vegetables from farms using no-till, crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting are more mineral-rich. These practices restore soil organic matter and microbial life .
Use plant-sourced supplements and adaptogens
Herbs like nettle, moringa, seaweeds, and medicinal mushrooms act as micronutrient reservoirs, adding crucial elements often missing in contemporary diets.
Prioritize soil-grown over hydroponic
Hydroponically grown produce often lacks trace minerals and microbial exposure. Whenever possible, opt for food grown in healthy soil.
Grow microgreens or sprouts at home
These young plants concentrate nutrients. Using clean, mineral-rich potting mix gives you control over calcium, magnesium, and iron content.
SMATEOM’s soil-conscious support
At SMATEOM, we weave soil wisdom into our holistic retreats. During detox programs or hormonal restoration retreats, your meals come from nutrient-rich, biodiversity-based farms. We prioritize whole foods that reconnect your body to the living soil and its restorative intelligence.
Learn more
Modern agriculture has led to dramatic nutrient depletion in soil and crops — with hidden health consequences.
Soil degradation is a global public health issue—we must reclaim it through regenerative practices.
Final thought
Your body mirrors the earth’s health. By choosing biodiverse, regenerative foods—real, soil-grown nourishment—you can reconnect with nature and restore the micronutrient harmony essential for your vitality, mental clarity, and resilience.
Soil-nutrient-depletion-and-human-health.
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