Interview with John Rasic, Soil Healer, Australia
In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine that the food we consume no longer holds the nutritional value it once did. Yet, here we are—needing 21 oranges to match the nutritional density of just one orange from decades ago. What caused this alarming change, and what does it mean for our health and future? Let’s dive into the nutrient crisis and uncover the reasons behind this shocking reality.1. What has changed in our food system that requires us to consume 21 oranges to get the nutrition we once got from just one?
The main culprit is hybridization and genetically modified organisms (GMO). These agricultural innovations were initially developed to produce higher yields and more resilient crops. However, the unintended consequence has been a significant reduction in the nutritional density of our fruits and vegetables. We’re sacrificing quality for quantity, and our bodies are paying the price.
2. How has industrial farming stripped fruits and vegetables of their once-abundant nutrients?
Industrial farming is a major factor. The introduction of toxic chemicals and heavy machinery has done more than just increase production efficiency. It has decimated the health of our soils, killing vital soil organisms that naturally convert minerals and elements into fertilizers absorbed by plants. As a result, the entire ecosystem has broken down, often beyond our capacity to repair.
3. What is causing the nutrient density in our food to drop so drastically over the years?
At the heart of the issue is the industrial agriculture model, which prioritizes profit through increased quantity rather than focusing on the quality of food. Over time, this profit-driven approach has led to a steep decline in the nutrients we once took for granted in our diets.
4. How does soil health directly influence the nutritional quality of the food we eat today?
Soil health is the cornerstone of nutritional quality. Healthy, fertile soil produces nutrient-rich food, while polluted soil can only produce unhealthy food. The relationship is simple: we are what we eat, and the health of the soil determines the quality of what we consume.
5. Are synthetic fertilizers and pesticides responsible for the decline in food nutrients?
Absolutely. Plant roots don’t chew on soil; they absorb water solutions filled with pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and synthetic fertilizers. The harmful chemicals left behind in the soil eventually end up in our food. The worst offenders are hydroponically grown foods, which often lack the natural interaction with soil that traditional farming provides.
6. How do these chemicals affect the soil and crops?
The chemicals used in modern agriculture don’t just kill soil organisms—they also have a devastating impact on the mineralogy of the soil, which is critical for plant health. Once these minerals are lost, restoring the soil’s natural balance becomes nearly impossible without significant intervention.
7. Why is biodiversity important for nutrient-rich crops, and how has its decline led to the depletion of essential vitamins and minerals in our food?
Biodiversity is critical because it ensures the natural cycle of life in the soil. We depend on a wide variety of organisms—both above and below ground—to convert elements into food. Unfortunately, we’ve caused a loss of more than 50% of global biodiversity, leaving the soil and food system in a fragile state. The more we lose biodiversity, the more we lose the essential nutrients we need to survive.
8. What impact does this drop in nutritional density have on our overall health, and could it be contributing to the rise in chronic illnesses and obesity?
The consequences are devastating. As nutritional density decreases, we see rising rates of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and immune-related conditions. Brain dysfunction, including conditions like Alzheimer’s, is also becoming more prevalent, and much of this can be traced back to our nutritionally deficient food supply.
9. Is the lack of nutrients in our food reversible, and what are some regenerative farming practices that can restore the quality of our soil and food?
While it is possible to reverse some of the damage, it won’t happen overnight. Regenerative farming practices—such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and organic farming—can begin to restore soil health, but the process is long and challenging. Unfortunately, this isn't a solution we can expect to see completed within our lifetimes. It requires global action and an entirely new way of thinking.
10. Why does it take so much more fruit and vegetables today to meet our nutritional needs, and what can individuals do to ensure they are getting enough nutrients in their diet?
The industrial food system is driven by quantity over quality, forcing us to eat more food to get fewer nutrients. To ensure you’re getting enough nutrients, it's essential to focus on whole, organic foods grown in nutrient-rich soil, support local farms that practice sustainable farming, and consider nutrient-dense supplements to fill the gaps.
11. Can innovative agricultural practices and food technologies help solve the nutrient crisis, or are we at a tipping point for our food system?
While we’ve passed a tipping point in terms of biodiversity loss, there’s still hope. Innovative agricultural practices and food technologies can help save what’s left of our ecosystems, but we must act fast. The focus now should be on preserving what remains before it’s too late, ensuring that we don’t lose any more of the world’s precious biodiversity.
Conclusion:
The nutrient crisis is a silent disaster that is affecting not just our food, but our health and the planet. It’s time to recognize the damage being done by industrial farming and to push for solutions that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and regenerative farming practices. While the journey back to nutrient-rich food may be long, the time to start is now. We owe it to ourselves, and future generations, to protect the foundation of life: the soil.
