Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate possible changes in USDA nutrient content data for 43 garden crops between 1950 and 1999 and consider their potential causes. METHODS: We compare USDA nutrient content data published in 1950 and 1999 for 13 nutrients and water in 43 garden crops, mostly vegetables. After adjusting for differences in moisture content, we calculate ratios of nutrient contents, R (1999/1950), for each food and nutrient. To evaluate the foods as a group, we calculate median and geometric mean R-values for the 13 nutrients and water. To evaluate R-values for individual foods and nutrients, with hypothetical confidence intervals, we use USDA's standard errors (SEs) of the 1999 values, from which we generate 2 estimates for the SEs of the 1950 values. RESULTS: As a group, the 43 foods show apparent, statistically reliable declines (R < 1) for 6 nutrients (protein, Ca, P, Fe, riboflavin and ascorbic acid), but no statistically reliable changes for 7 other nutrients. Declines in the medians range from 6% for protein to 38% for riboflavin. When evaluated for individual foods and nutrients, R-values are usually not distinguishable from 1 with current data. Depending on whether we use low or high estimates of the 1950 SEs, respectively 33% or 20% of the apparent R-values differ reliably from 1. Significantly, about 28% of these R-values exceed 1. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that any real declines are generally most easily explained by changes in cultivated varieties between 1950 and 1999, in which there may be trade-offs between yield and nutrient content.
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
Across 43 garden crops, protein, Ca, P, Fe, riboflavin and ascorbic acid declined statistically reliably (R < 1) between 1950 and 1999 USDA data.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e0“published in 1950 and 1999 for 13 nutrients and water in 43 garden crops”
e1“As a group, the 43 foods show apparent, statistically reliable declines (R < 1) for 6 nutrients (protein, Ca, P, Fe, riboflavin and ascorbic acid), but no statistically reliable changes for 7 other nutrients”
Claim · model-written summary
Median declines across the 43 garden crops ranged from 6% for protein to 38% for riboflavin.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e0“published in 1950 and 1999 for 13 nutrients and water in 43 garden crops”
e2“Declines in the medians range from 6% for protein to 38% for riboflavin”
Claim · model-written summary
For individual foods and nutrients, R-values are usually not distinguishable from 1 with current data.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e0“published in 1950 and 1999 for 13 nutrients and water in 43 garden crops”
e3“When evaluated for individual foods and nutrients, R-values are usually not distinguishable from 1 with current data”
Claim · model-written summary
With low estimates of the 1950 standard errors, 33% of apparent R-values differ reliably from 1.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e4“Depending on whether we use low or high estimates of the 1950 SEs, respectively 33% or 20% of the apparent R-values differ reliably from 1”
Claim · model-written summary
With high estimates of the 1950 standard errors, 20% of apparent R-values differ reliably from 1.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e4“Depending on whether we use low or high estimates of the 1950 SEs, respectively 33% or 20% of the apparent R-values differ reliably from 1”
Claim · model-written summary
About 28% of the R-values exceed 1.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e5“about 28% of these R-values exceed 1”
Claim · model-written summary
Real declines in nutrient content are most easily explained by changes in cultivated varieties between 1950 and 1999, with possible yield and nutrient trade-offs.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e6“any real declines are generally most easily explained by changes in cultivated varieties between 1950 and 1999, in which there may be trade-offs between yield and nutrient content”
Claim · model-written summary
No statistically reliable changes were found for 7 other nutrients across the 43 garden crops.
Verbatim
t0“43 Garden Crops”
e0“published in 1950 and 1999 for 13 nutrients and water in 43 garden crops”
e1“As a group, the 43 foods show apparent, statistically reliable declines (R < 1) for 6 nutrients (protein, Ca, P, Fe, riboflavin and ascorbic acid), but no statistically reliable changes for 7 other nutrients”