Feature Report Hainan’s healthy soil
Hainan’s healthy soil
Unless you're a farmer or grow your own veggies, you probably don't put too much thought into where your fruit and veg has come from, especially not to the contents of the soil where they where grown. If this is the case then you probably weren't aware that food grown in soil rich in selenium replenishes your body with a nutrient that is known to help fight autoimmune disorders, curb the mutation of viruses and even reduce the risk of several types of cancers.
After several years of exploration, China's largest deposits of selenium-rich soil have been found in the country's tropical island province, Hainan. According to Xi Xiaohuan, a senior engineer with the China Geological Survey, The selenium-rich soil covers an area in Hainan of 9,545 square kilometres, more than 28% of Hainan's total area.
The selenium-rich soul is clean enough to allow environmentally friendly development of selenium-enriched farm produce, said Xi. Selenium is element number 34 on the periodic table and is required in small amounts to maintain good health. The element is present in nearly every cell and especially so in the kidneys, liver, spleen, testes and pancreas, so is essential for many body processes.
Food grown in selenium-rich soil is rich in anti-oxidants to fight against DNA-damaging free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-poducts of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease by damaging cell tissue.
Selenium is often included with Vitamins C and E and has been known to help fight against cancer, heart disease, viral infections, and even to slow the progression of HIV/AIDS.
Selenium is essential for a healthy immune system with immune boosting effects that have been known to prevent the spreading of diseases and cancer cells. High doses of the element, however, can be toxic, so it is advised to consume the element as it is found in natural foods rather than in dietary supplements.
For this reason, the discovery of selenium-rich soil in Hainan is a huge benefit to local farmers. Produce grown on the selenium-rich soil will be able to be marketed at a premium price as farmers in Hainan alter their planting patterns.
The island province is already an important source of farm produce for Mainland China, so the discovery of the selenium-rich soil is important for the whole country. According to Investorspot.com, authorities in Hainan have already begun distinguishing soil areas rich in selenium to grow rice, fruits and betel nuts.
While the mineral is also found in some meats and seafood, plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium around the world. The content of selenium in the food depends on the content in the soil. Food grown in selenium-rich soil like that in Hainan is obviously a great source of selenium, so animals that eat these plants have higher levels of selenium in their muscles.
Human selenium deficiency has been a problem in some parts of China, where soil concentration of selenium is low, leading to development of heart disease, hypothyroidism, and a weakened immune system by making the body more susceptible to illnesses. The recent discovery of the rich selenium content of Hainan's soil is sure to increase the demand for produce from the region nation-wide.
Hainan is a tropical island in the South China Sea. Lying on the same latitude as Hawaii it has been known as the 'Hawaii of the Far East' and is the only tropical island in China.
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