More than half of Dutch people do not consume enough nutrients.
- Article
- 2023-11-18
Recent findings indicate that many Dutch people do not consume the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals, despite the country's prosperity. This can lead to health problems such as fatigue due to a lack of vitamin C. On the other hand, excessive intake of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, can also be harmful, for example by damaging the liver or increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Finding the right balance of nutrients is crucial.
A research team from the Netherlands and Switzerland investigated how well the Dutch population maintains this balance. They analyzed data from 4,313 Dutch people, ranging in age from 1 to 79 years, with a focus on essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, and various vitamins. The use of nutritional supplements was also examined.
The results showed that more than half of Dutch people consume less than the recommended amounts of certain nutrients, including calcium, iron, vitamin D and folic acid. These deficiencies were especially prominent among adolescents, adult women, and individuals not taking dietary supplements. For some nutrients, such as zinc, vitamin A and folic acid, exceedances of the recommended upper limits were found in only 1% of toddlers.
The findings suggest that a significant portion of the Dutch population is missing essential nutrients in their diet. Dietary supplements can therefore play an important role in filling these deficiencies. At the same time, it is important to watch out for overconsumption of these nutrients.
This research is supported by several sources, including two scientific publications and a website on adolescent development.
Sources:
1 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03219-4
2 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14128
3 https://www.nji.nl/ontwikkeling/de-puberteit
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