Scientists Uncover Surprising Origins Of Humanity's Carb Cravings
NDTV
A study shows that the AMY1 gene, responsible for starch digestion, spread long before agriculture, suggesting an evolutionary preference for carbs.
Our ancestors' preference for carbohydrates may have existed long before agriculture became popular, according to a recent study. Recent archaeological findings have cast doubt on the widely held belief that prehistoric people were meat eaters. Studies have revealed that our predecessors also ingested substantial amounts of carbohydrates, despite the conventional wisdom that protein served as the main source of energy for human development.
Further investigation into this dietary preference has revealed a particular gene that allowed early humans to more effectively digest starches, according to a recent study published in the journal Science. The enzyme amylase, which is produced by the AMY1 gene, converts complex carbs into simple sugars.
Researchers found that this gene started to replicate and spread long before agriculture was invented by examining the genomes of ancient humans. This implies that our ancestors' preference for carbohydrates evolved naturally in response to their surroundings rather than as a result of advancements in culture or technology.
