According to new scientific research rising carbon dioxide emissions are set to make the world’s staple food crops less nutritious.
As per report the climate change is going to lead to the serious ill health which already has affected billions of malnourished people around the world.
This scientific research was carried out by Harvard University for understanding of how rising CO levels affect food nutrition. The research was published in the journal Nature.
As per the report main reason for the rise CO levels is fossil fuel burning leading to unpredicted impacts of climate change.
For this scientific research the field trials of wheat, rice, maize and soybeans were taken as food crops.
These trials showed that higher CO levels significantly reduced the levels of the essential nutrients iron and zinc, as well as cutting protein levels.
In order to take account of variable growing conditions, the researchers analyzed 41 different strains grown in seven locations on three different continents.
As per this scientific research high CO levels have affected following food crops-
- Wheat grown in high CO levels had nine per cent less zinc and five per cent less iron, as well as six per cent less protein,
- Rice had three per cent less iron, five per cent less iron and eight per cent less protein.
- Maize saw similar falls while
- Soybeans lost similar levels of zinc and iron (but soyabean being a legume and not a grass, did not see lower protein).
As per the report the precise biological mechanism that causes nutrient levels to fall due to rise in CO levels is not known.
Importance of Iron and Zinc in our body
Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for human health.
Supplementation with iron and zinc as single micronutrients enhances distinct and unique biochemical and functional outcomes.
Zinc
The trace mineral zinc is essential for body growth and maturation and development, as well as tissue repair and resistance to disease.
Zinc is an important mineral for children and the elderly, and it can be found in meats, specifically organ meats, poultry, and seafood.
Although rare, trace mineral deficiencies related to zinc can result in reduced growth in children, reduced resistance to infection in adults and delayed wound healing in people of all ages.
The body needs 15.0 milligrams of zinc per day.
The effects of zinc deficiency are retardation of growth in children, male reproduction, low blood sugar, poor bone growth, brain disorders, high blood cholesterol, poor circulation, eating disorders, problems with female reproduction, poor skin, nails and hair conditions and poor sense of taste and smell.
Iron
The trace mineral iron is critical to blood formation and function.
Iron intake needs are especially important during infancy, early childhood, during a woman’s child bearing years, during pregnancy and up to three months after.
The body needs 10.0-18.0 milligrams if iron per day.
These micronutrients have the potential to interact when given together; thus, it is important to assess the biochemical and functional evidence from clinical trials before supplementation policies are established.
The effects of iron deficiency are anemia (a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness).
Deficiencies in these 2 nutrients remain a global problem, especially among women and children in developing countries.
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