Health Fitness Food

A recent study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has raised concerns about the declining nutritional value of rice and wheat, the staple food for millions in India. The study found that over the past five decades, these major cereals have lost up to 45% of essential nutrients like zinc and iron. This worrying trend coincides with rising deficiencies of these minerals in the Indian population, particularly among women and children. The decline in nutrient content is attributed to several factors, including: Focus on high-yielding varieties : Breeding programs have prioritized increased yields over nutritional quality, leading to cereal varieties with lower concentrations of vital minerals. Depleted soil: Intensive farming practices and overreliance on chemical fertilizers have depleted essential nutrients from the soil, making them less available for plant uptake. Loss during processing : Milling and polishing processes further strip away valuable nutrients from gra