Incredible shrinking nutrition. (updates).(Brief Article)

The nutritional value of fruits and vegetables sold in Canadian grocery stores has plummeted significantly over the past 50 years, a new study shows. And since produce is shipped both ways across the US-Canada border, there is little reason to think the finding is any different for items on American shelves.

In-house researchers conducted the study for the newspaper The Globe and Mail and Canadian television network CTV, both based in Toronto. Released July 5, it compares government food tables from 1951 with those from 1972 and 1999--the most recent analysis--and reveals that the vitamin and mineral content has declined dramatically in some of our most popular foods.

In the analysis, the biggest loser is broccoli, a food that epitomizes the dictates of healthy eating. All seven of its measurable nutrients declined, notably calcium, which fell 63 percent, and iron, which dropped 34 percent. Broccoli is often cited by nutritionists as an excellent source of both.

By far North America's most consumed food, the potato has lost 100 percent of its vitamin A, which is important for good eyesight. The spud also lost 57 percent of its vitamin C and iron and 28 percent of its calcium.

Virtually all fruits and vegetables, from apples to zucchini, have become substantially inferior nutritionally. Many vegetables and fruits have lost nearly all of their ...