Ancient Evidence Challenges Paleo Diet, Showing Humans Long Ate ‘Processed Foods’
Mettmann, Germany – New archaeological research is upending the popular image of early human diets, revealing that our ancestors weren’t solely focused on meat consumption but skillfully processed and relied heavily on plant-based foods for sustenance – thousands of years before the advent of agriculture. The study challenges the core tenets of the modern “Paleo diet,” which advocates for a lifestyle modeled after the presumed eating habits of prehistoric humans.
Published in the Journal of Archaeological Research, the findings from researchers at the Australian National University and the University of Toronto Mississauga demonstrate that early Homo sapiens consumed carbohydrates and fats from a diverse range of plant sources, including wild seeds, starchy tubers, and even bitter nuts. Crucially, these foods weren’t eaten raw; they were often ground, cooked, or detoxified using rudimentary tools and techniques.
“Plant use is frequently enough assumed to have become crucial only wiht the rise of farming,” explained Dr. Anna Florin, co-author of the study. “Though, archaeological discoveries show that early humans were processing plant foods thousands of years before agriculture began, indicating a long-standing relationship with plant-based nutrition.”
the research identifies humans as a “broad-spectrum species,” possessing a remarkable dietary adaptability that allowed them to thrive in varied environments. Dr. Monica Ramsey, the studyS othre co-author, emphasized the importance of this processing ability. “This ability to prepare and process plant foods gave early humans critical energy and nutrients,” she said. “It also helped them survive in different regions across the globe.”
Ramsey further explained that early humans utilized tools and botanical knowledge to transform naturally occurring ingredients into edible meals, showcasing their innovative and adaptable eating habits long before the advancement of farming. “They were turning many natural ingredients into edible meals,” she stated, “making them innovative and adaptable eaters well before the farming era.”
The findings call into question the assumptions underpinning the Paleo diet trend, which frequently overlooks the important role of plant processing in human evolution. The study suggests that the narrative of a purely meat-focused prehistoric diet is a simplification of a far more complex and nuanced reality.