The decline in this type of insects has a direct impact on the supply of certain foods and therefore the health of humans, indicates “The Guardian”.
Through ThePoint.fr
© ROMAIN LONGIERAS / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
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DMassive losses cause alarming risks to human health. As reported The Guardian, the gradual loss of pollinating insects is dramatically reducing the supply of healthy food for the world’s population and thus causing approximately 500,000 premature deaths each year. According to scientists, this trend has reduced the production of fruits, vegetables and nuts by 3 to 5% and, conversely, increased the serious cases of certain diseases.
Among them are heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers, which can nevertheless be cured in part through a healthier diet. “This study establishes that pollinator loss already has a health impact across other global health risk factors, such as prostate cancer or substance use disorders,” points out Dr. Samuel Myers, lead author of the study.
A scourge that will worsen in the 21st century
Research has also established that certain areas of the planet are more impacted than others by the decline of pollinating insects. So middle-income countries, like China, India, Russia, and Indonesia, are seeing heart disease, stroke, and cancer spread much faster.
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“The most concerning aspect of this study is that, as insect populations continue to decline, this loss of crop yield will worsen in the future, while the human population will continue to grow to reach at least 10 billion inhabitants,” worries expert David Goulson. “The problems described here are likely to get worse as the 21st century progresses,” he also predicts.