Soil texture has a large effect on soil health.

This bar graph shows the median soil health scores for 96 sites, divided into major soil texture categories: sandy loam, sandy clay loam, loam, clay loam, and clay.  Loam soil has the longest bar and highest median soil health score on the graph.  Scores fall off above and below loam, to clay and sand which have the lowest soil health score medians.  Loam soils contain sand, silt and clay particles.  This mix of different sized soil particles allows water, air and roots to penetrate easily.  Loam soils retain moisture, nutrients and organic matter better than other soil types.  These physical attributes make loam soils especially suitable for microbial life, and better soil health.