We are not getting enough nutrients in our food

So who knew the food we eat is not giving us the nutrition we need?

Seems we are not getting our daily requirements even following Health Canada's guidelines.

Why?

It would appear fruits and vegetables have lost some of their traditional nutrient value through plant breeding and modernized farming methods.

A lot of studies have been conducted over the last 30 or 40 years ... many claiming our new plant introductions are not the most nutritious.

Truthfully, some of the findings can be blamed on what is termed "conventional" farming practices. The non-organic method utilizing chemical fertilizers with their quick release nitrogen boost. Many fresh foods tested in the studies showed high levels of nitrates ... higher than is really safe for us, some scientists claim.

Reports show high nitrate levels equate to lower levels in some of the essential nutrients we rely on in our diet. Although, in some test cases, levels of Vitamin A and beta-carotene were elevated.

It seems exposing plants to a quick supply of nitrogen is like putting many of us in front of a no-holds-barred buffet dinner. I gravitate towards deep-fried prawns and ladle oodles of sauces all over my rice when I am treated to buffet Chinese.

Dutifully, vegetables are included but the portion on my plate speaks volumes to the overall volume of food exposed there. (Good thing I only do it two or three times a year!)

Lower nutrient levels can also be linked to a higher water content in the conventionally grown food. The increase in water content is what gives these monster veggies their size.

This whole nutrient density scenario is where organic wins out over conventional. One report I found gave up interesting results.

Scientists looked at 13 pairs of organic and conventional strawberry agroecosystems in California, all growing the same three varieties.

(Agroecosystem means, in a nutshell, the scientists not only looked at the farm and its human influences but also took into account the surrounding influences that could have an impact on the farm.)

Over a two-year period, they analyzed the fruits for fruit quality, nutritional quality, plant nutrients and organoleptic properties (taste, smell, sight, etc). The strawberry leaves were also analyzed for plant nutrients.

Overall, organically grown strawberries came out on top. Size was smaller and fruit firmness was comparable but they were redder in colour, ascorbic acid content was 9.7 per cent higher and total antioxidant activity was 8.5 per cent greater than the conventional.

Important data since strawberries are one of the most concentrated sources of antioxidant compounds and Vitamin C in our diet.

Turns out, the organic strawberries also had a higher shelf life after picking, as well as fewer incidences of grey mould. Incredible given the fact multiple applications of fungicide were applied on the conventional fields!

Scientists seem convinced the organic berries avoided infection through what is called "systemic-acquired resistance," a buildup of immunity through healthy growing conditions.

Says a lot, doesn't it?

• • •

The weather has not promoted many walkabouts in the garden lately. Ours is still largely under a fair amount of snow even with all the rain.

However, brief forays are occasionally undertaken, even if it is just a trip to the compost pile.

One such trip produced a surprise to beat all surprises. A frog was caught on the pond, frozen between two layers of ice. It must have crawled out from the rocks but its behaviour stuns me. I would not have thought it near warm enough to warrant frog movement. Although ... I did hear a frog in the garden on Jan. 4 when the low temperature was a balmy 5C.

Perhaps this frog was as fed up with winter as we are and ventured out to stretch its legs in the hopes of snagging a tasty snack. I just wish the temperatures would warm up so the flowers on my Helleborus x ballardiae 'HGC Pink Frost' could finish opening.

Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cottage Garden in Black Creek. Her column appears every second Friday.