Farming systems influence health

The literature review sought to assess the current state of conventional, biodynamic and organic farming systems and map out any connections between food growing systems, food nutrient density, human health and consumer attitudes.

They found evidence to suggest that the greater the soil life, the greater potential for the transfer of nutrients from soil to crops.

“The soil in which crops grow can have a significant impact on the quality of produce, including the nutritional composition,” the study states.

“The general theme emerging from the literature suggests that biodynamic and organic management leads to elevated soil health and these practices generally promote more soil life than conventional growing systems.”

“Nutrient-dense foods are important for health because they deliver more of what the body needs for good health (i.e. vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats) and less of what it doesn't need as much of (i.e. saturated fat, sodium and refined sugars),” the Report adds.

However, it also notes there are gaps in the research of biodynamics growing practices, and what organic growing practice data there is, is variable.

The Report also comments on a lack of multiple studies on the same crop within different systems, and research in a New Zealand setting more specifically.

Chair of the Kete Ora Trust, Sam Weaver, welcomes the findings, saying the Plant & Food Research report is Phase One of a study that will understand more clearly the links between soil health and human health, via growing systems.

“What we know is that living, healthy soil and good human health are closely related, and biodynamic and organic agriculture can make a significant difference to producing healthy, uncontaminated, nutrient dense food, compared to conventional agriculture. By improving our soil health, we can improve our human health.”

“From this study we now need to move to further applied research to show how these differences play out in an Aotearoa New Zealand setting with local crops,” Weaver says.

He says Kete Ora Trust is inviting funders to the next phase of applied research, which will provide vital information for growers, consumers, policymakers, the agricultural and health sectors.

“New Zealand is at a pivot point,” Weaver says. “By taking this opportunity to further our understanding of the relationship between food quality and our growing systems we can be at the forefront of a global wave by strongly demonstrating the link to the health of our soil and our own health.”

“At the same time, we can become a world leader in the production of truly healthy food for New Zealanders and our critical export markets,” Weaver concludes.