Summary
This popular science book by geologist David R. Montgomery and biologist Anne Biklé synthesises a broad body of peer-reviewed research to argue that the nutritional quality of food is substantially shaped by how soil is managed. Drawing on farm studies, clinical nutrition data, and soil science, the authors contend that regenerative practices — including reduced tillage, cover cropping, and diverse rotations — can restore soil biology and elevate the phytonutrient and mineral density of crops and livestock products. The book functions as an accessible synthesis rather than an original empirical study, and its claims are grounded in cited scientific literature rather than new primary data.
UK applicability
Although the case studies draw primarily from North American farms, the underpinning agronomic and nutritional principles are broadly applicable to UK conditions; UK farmers, policymakers, and researchers working on agri-environment schemes, Sustainable Farming Incentive payments, or soil health monitoring would find the conceptual framework and cited evidence base relevant.
Key measures
Phytonutrient concentration; mineral content (e.g. zinc, magnesium, iron); omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratios; soil organic matter; microbial diversity indicators
Outcomes reported
The book synthesises evidence on how soil health, farming practices, and land management influence the nutritional composition of food and, in turn, human health outcomes. It examines how regenerative and conservation agriculture approaches compare with conventional systems in terms of phytonutrient, mineral, and fatty acid profiles in crops and livestock products.
Topic tags
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