Climate change shapes daily life in many visible ways, such as hotter summers or stronger storms. A less obvious effect appears on dinner tables.
Food quality, food access, and nutrition now shift alongside environmental conditions.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are drawing attention to a hidden link between environmental stress and nutrition.
A new perspective paper highlights how environmental pressure affects food systems and raises questions about dietary supplements.
The paper does not promote supplements as a solution. Instead, it draws attention to research gaps, especially as climate-driven stress increases health risks.
Food quality under climate stress
Environmental conditions strongly influence crops and animals used for food. Heat waves, droughts, floods, and storms damage crops and disrupt planting and harvesting.
Food processing and transportation also suffer during extreme events. As a result, nutritious food becomes less available or more expensive in many regions.
Rising carbon dioxide levels create another problem. Scientific studies show that higher carbon dioxide reduces iron, zinc, and protein content in crops such as wheat and rice.
Calories remain present, but essential nutrients decline. Millions of people rely on these crops as daily staples, raising concern about widespread nutrient deficiencies.
Nature’s role in nutrition
Environmental change also affects livestock and seafood systems. Warmer land and ocean temperatures reduce food quality and supply from animals.
Fisheries face ecosystem shifts, while farm animals experience heat stress. Moreover, the loss of pollinators lowers production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which provide vitamins like vitamin A and folate.
Health risks from food disruption
Nutrition security depends on steady access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food. Environmental disruption weakens every part of food supply chains.
Communities already facing food insecurity face greater risk as prices rise and fresh food becomes scarce.
Poor nutrition increases vulnerability to chronic disease. Low intake of minerals and vitamins weakens immune response and raises risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term conditions.
Children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with chronic illness face the highest danger.
“Environmental change is not only an ecological issue. It’s a nutrition and public health issue,” said first author Margaret Nagai Singer, a research fellow at the University of California, Irvine.
“When the food system becomes less stable or less nutritious, people feel it in very real ways – in their health, their medical costs, and their daily lives.”
Climate stress beyond food
Climate-related stress does not stop at nutrition in food. Heat exposure, wildfire smoke, air pollution, and climate-sensitive infections affect many body systems.
Cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, reproductive, and mental health outcomes worsen under repeated exposure. Hospital visits and medical costs rise as stress increases.
Inflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in environmental health damage. Research suggests certain nutrients support biological defense systems.
Vitamins such as A, C, D, and E, along with zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, show potential to reduce inflammation linked to pollution or infection. Evidence remains mixed, and stronger studies are still necessary.
Dietary supplements and nutrient gaps
Dietary supplements already help many people meet daily nutrient needs. Environmental pressure on food systems may increase the relevance of supplements in limited situations.
The paper highlights supplements as one possible tool to address nutrient gaps created by environmental change.
Important questions remain unanswered. Safety, effectiveness, dosage, and long-term impact vary across age groups and health conditions.
Supplements also interact with medications and may cause harm when misused. Careful research must guide any public health recommendation.
“Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet or for fixing the underlying problems in our food system,” said Jun Wu, senior author of the paper.
“But as environmental challenges intensify, it’s important to understand whether they can play a limited, evidence-based role alongside broader solutions.”
Supplements under scientific review
Supplement production also affects the environment. Ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, and transport contribute to carbon emissions and waste.
Products such as fish oil and collagen rely on animal systems linked to overfishing or deforestation. Botanical ingredients also raise sustainability concerns.
Consumer interest in environmentally responsible products continues to grow.
Research must evaluate environmental costs alongside health benefits. Sustainable sourcing and production practices may reduce harm while supporting nutrition needs.
Future directions in nutrition
The authors identify three main research priorities. Scientists must identify nutrient gaps caused by environmental change.
Researchers need to test whether supplements improve resilience against heat, pollution, or infection. Experts must also study how dietary patterns and supplement industries influence environmental outcomes.
Collaboration across nutrition, environmental science, public health, and policy will support better decisions.
Climate change continues to shape food and health. Strong evidence will help guide solutions that protect nutrition security and public well-being in a changing environment.
The study is published in the journal Advances in Nutrition.
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