Wild vegetables contribute to improving the diversity and sustainability of vegetable diets in China

Abstract

Vegetables are vital to human diets, supplying essential micronutrients critical to overall health. Despite this, it remains unclear whether current supply systems effectively ensure equitable access to cultivated vegetables across regions or fully leverage the potential of wild vegetables to diversify diets. Here, we analyzed data from 2,983 supermarkets across 330 cities for cultivated vegetables, alongside a comprehensive database of 2,461 species of wild vegetables, to evaluate the current state of vegetable supply and the potential of wild vegetables to enhance dietary diversity in China. Our analysis revealed that the species richness of cultivated vegetables is relatively low, with markets predominantly offering 52 common species. Wealthier regions exhibited greater diversity in cultivated vegetable offerings, while the availability of common cultivated vegetables was equitable and consistently distributed across vast areas of the country. However, overreliance on a few dominant species has led to a homogenization of vegetable diets across the country. Conversely, wild vegetables demonstrated a significantly richer species pool with notable regional variations. These wild vegetables serve as an important supplemental food source, particularly in regions with limited diversity of cultivated vegetables. They contribute to food security and nutrition, especially during shortages, and align with traditional food preferences in local communities. The broad distribution and rich diversity of wild vegetables present valuable opportunities for germplasm and essential micronutrient sources for humans. Our findings provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and limitations of cultivated vegetable supply, emphasizing the untapped potential of wild vegetables in diversifying and enriching human diets.