There may be hard-wired preferences for high-fat and high-calorie foods
Archeological evidence of our human ancestors, observations of eating behavior in modern hunter-gatherer tribes, the anatomy of our digestive system and current neuro-scientific research suggest that humans may have a hard-wired preference for high-fat and high-calorie foods. The available data lead scientists to estimate that ancient humans consumed more than half of their calories as meat, preferably large game. Before the development of agriculture, some 10,000 years ago, ancient hunter-gatherer tribes of 25 or so members moved to different geographic locations to follow their food sources. As one area became depleted of food, they moved to a new area. This, as well as seasonal variation in the availability of food, must have resulted in periods of food plenty and scarcity. It was in this unstable food environment that our “survival of the fittest” eating behaviors evolved. One theory suggests that there would have been greater survival advantage to humans who consumed as much animal fat and carbohydrates as possible whenever possible, regardless of how hungry they may have been at the moment. Those who had fattened up in periods of plenty would have been more likely to survive the periods of scarcity.
Read more
Share this post
