HOMOGENISATION OF CROPS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION – DELETERIOUS EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

Abstract

The global food system has undergone severe homogenisation, with over 75% of human caloric intake now derived from just 12 crops and 5 animal species, predominantly high-yielding varieties of rice, wheat, and maize. This study examines the consequences of this loss of agrobiodiversity for human health. Historically, human diets encompassed over 6,000 plant species, providing diverse micronutrients, phytochemicals, and dietary fiber. The shift to monoculture staples has led to a nutritionally impoverished food supply, characterized by high starch and low mineral density. We review evidence linking crop homogenisation to three critical health outcomes: 1) hidden hunger, with iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiencies affecting 2 billion people, 2) loss of gut microbiome diversity due to low fiber diversity, increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disorders and allergies, and 3) heightened vulnerability to food system shocks and increased exposure to pesticide residues and glutenrelated disorders. The paper argues that de-homogenisation through revival of millets, pulses, and indigenous landraces is essential for nutritional security and long-term public health resilience