Minerals

The decrease in mineral content in our foods now compared to 100 years ago can be blamed greatly upon how over-processed they've become.  In an effort to increase the transportation and shelf life, food has become prepared in a way that zaps so many nutrients from it.  Not only that, but how we cook these foods is also a large factor.  It's been known for years just how much nutrient loss comes from microwaving our foods, but it really hasn't slowed down the use of this convenience at all.  We've become a nation that is always in a hurry and doesn't have the time to prepare a meal many times the way it should be prepared.  Instead, we rely on the quick fix which, while satisfying our hunger, does little to satisfy our body's other nutritional needs.  This leads to a slew of health problems including obesity and heart disease.