Regenerative agricultural practices significantly enhance nutrient density in produce by promoting soil health and microbial diversity, which in turn support plants in absorbing a broader array of minerals and producing beneficial phytochemicals. Montgomery and Biklé (2022) found that regenerative practices—such as no-till, cover cropping, and diverse crop rotations—markedly improve soil organic matter and soil health scores. This improved soil structure allows for greater microbial activity, which is linked to increased levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in crops. For example, produce from regenerative farms showed higher concentrations of vitamin E, calcium, and phenolic compounds, which are known for their antioxidant properties (Montgomery et al., 2022).
Mustafa et al. (2021) also noted that regenerative practices foster crop resilience by matching nutrient-dense crops to environments that naturally support higher mineral availability, such as soils rich in bioavailable iron and zinc. This approach helps combat “hidden hunger”—micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in global diets—by improving nutrient profiles in commonly grown crops (Mustafa et al., 2021). Furthermore, comparisons between regenerative and conventional farms indicate that crops from regenerative systems have significantly higher nutrient densities due to reduced synthetic input reliance and increased organic matter, which bolsters the soil’s natural mineral content and microbial balancemont (Montgomery et al., 2022; Montgomery & Biklé, 2021).
Additionally, regenerative practices have been shown to positively influence phytochemical production. Crops grown in regenerative systems generally contain higher levels of phenolic compounds and carotenoids, which support chronic disease prevention. This suggests that regenerative agriculture, by building a healthier, biologically active soil ecosystem, can play an essential role in producing more nutrient-dense, health-supportive foods than conventional methods. Ultimately, regenerative farming not only enhances crop nutrient profiles but also supports environmental sustainability, indicating its value as a holistic approach to agricultural nutrition and health (Montgomery et al., 2022; Mustafa et al., 2021).
References
Montgomery, D. R., Biklé, A., Archuleta, R., Brown, P., & Jordan, J. (2022). Soil health and nutrient density: Preliminary comparison of regenerative and conventional farming. PeerJ, 10, e12848. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12848
Mustafa, M. A., Mabhaudhi, T., & Massawe, F. (2021). Building a resilient and sustainable food system in a changing world: A case for climate-smart and nutrient-dense crops. Global Food Security, 28, 100477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100477
Montgomery, D. R., & Biklé, A. (2021). Soil health and nutrient density: Beyond organic vs. conventional farming. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 699147. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.699147
