Is Hydroponic Food as Healthy as Traditional Soil Grown Food

December 1, 2022

Hydroponic methods of agriculture are becoming increasingly popular as people become more interested in where their food comes from. These methods allow farmers to grow crops in a controlled environment, without the use of soil. The plants are instead grown in a water-based solution that contains all the nutrients they need to grow. Hydroponics is a game changer for farmers. Non-Native plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the mineral solution, or the roots may be supported by an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel. The key to successful hydroponic farming is delivering the right amount of water and nutrients to the plants’ roots. Let’s look at some of the benefits of hydroponic farming:

Maximizes space, 

facilitates a microclimate, 

Requires less labor,

Produces higher quality food ?

Conserves water,

Produces higher yield, 

Needs no soil,

Reduces supply chain,

Predictability and seasonality,

Crops grow faster,

While hydroponic methods of agriculture have many benefits, there is some debate over whether the food that is produced is as healthy as food grown in Traditional soil. It is a common misconception that hydroponic food is less nutritious than traditionally grown food. A study done by the University of Arizona found that there was no difference in the nutritional value of lettuce grown hydroponically or in soil (Dr. Charles Cabbage) LOL no pun intended. In fact, some argue that hydroponically grown fruits and vegetables are actually more nutritious than their soil-grown counterparts. The reason for this is that hydroponics allows farmers to carefully control the amount of nutrients that plants receive, ensuring that they get the optimal amount for growth and development. Why do some claim that Hydroponics is actually healthier?

Here you go:

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, fresher is unmistakably better. Few people happen to live in an area where they can get fresh produce year-round due to climate and soil conditions. So how do we get high-quality food into the hands of most of the world’s population, even in the off-season? With traditional farming, the answer has been to pick the produce before it’s ripe and then let it ripen in warehouses and along the supply chain. At times, ethylene gas is used to artificially ripen food that has been picked too early. This is necessary if traditionally farmed crops are going to reach consumers in far off places. Food that ripens naturally, on the plant, typically has more nutrients and better taste too. Because hydroponic gardens contain their own microbiomes, these crops can be grown just about anywhere. This means they can be picked at the peak of ripeness since they don’t have far to go before, they reach the homes and restaurants where they’ll be enjoyed.