Viewpoint: Agri-nutrition research: Revisiting the contribution of maize and wheat to human nutrition and health

Nigel Poole, Jason Donovan and Olaf Erenstein

Food Policy, 2021, vol. 100, issue C

Abstract: Research linking agriculture and nutrition has evolved since the mid-20th century. The current focus is on child-stunting, dietary diversity and ‘nutrient-rich’ foods in recognition of the growing burdens of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. This article concerns the global dietary and health contribution of major cereals, specifically maize and wheat, which are often considered not to be ‘nutrient-rich’ foods. Nevertheless, these cereals are major sources of dietary energy, of essential proteins and micronutrients, and diverse non-nutrient bioactive food components. Research on bioactives, and dietary fibre in particular, is somewhat ‘siloed’, with little attention paid by the agri-nutrition research community to the role of cereal bioactives in healthy diets, and the adverse health effects often arising through processing and manufacturing of cereals-based food products.

Keywords: Agriculture; Nutrition; Micronutrients; Maize; Wheat; Non-communicable diseases; Bioactive food components; Dietary fibre (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:100:y:2021:i:c:s0306919220301809

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101976

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