Pollinator dependence of nutrient intake in Europe: a multi-country analysis

Background

Animal pollinators benefit 75% of global food crop production, but declines in pollinator species raise concerns for public health nutrition. Evidence on pollinator dependence (PD) of nutrient intake remains limited. This study assessed PD of nutrient intake in Europe and identified nutrients at risk under pollinator loss scenarios.

Methods

We analysed food records and 24-hour recall data from national dietary surveys of five European focal countries (Estonia, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) for adults aged 18-64 years. These surveys better approximate national food consumption than trade data or regional surveys used in existing literature. Using standardised recipes, we disaggregated foods into crop components. PD of each crop component was calculated as the product of its proportion by weight and crop PD values, derived from a meta-analysis of published estimates. Summing these yielded food-level PD, which was linked to nutrient composition databases to estimate nutrient-level PD. For animal products, PD was estimated by applying crop PD values to feed-crop contributions. We modelled progressive pollinator losses to assess impacts on nutrient adequacy.

Results

Mean PD was highest for vitamin C (34.1%, 95% CI 22.8-41.2%), followed by fibre (20.3%, 95% CI 15.3-26.8%) and vitamin A (20.1%, 95% CI 12.1-34.4%). Fruits (PD 49.1%, 95% CI 32.3-56.5%), vegetables (PD 37.1%, 95% CI 28.4-42.0%), and nuts and seeds (PD 34.4%, 95% CI 11.5-42.5%) were major contributing food groups for these nutrients. Under a complete pollinator loss scenario without dietary adaptation, intakes of vitamin C, fibre, vitamin A, folate, and vitamin E fell below average requirements.

Conclusions

Nutrient intakes show measurable dependence on pollinators, particularly for vitamin C, fibre, and vitamin A. Modelled pollinator loss revealed reduced nutrient adequacy, highlighting the links between biodiversity and public health nutrition.

Key messages

• Pollinator-dependent foods contribute a measurable proportion of key nutrients in our diet, emphasising the importance of pollinator populations for public health nutrition.

• Projected pollinator species loss threatens nutrient adequacy, suggesting the need for nutritional resilience and integration of biodiversity protection into public health strategies.