How much of our existence do we owe to sugar?
It may be time to rethink our relationship with the sweet stuff
The amount humans owe to sugar seems significant, according to a recent analysis published in Science. Researchers from the University of Sydney suggest that sugar played a central role in human evolution, particularly in early stages. For their study, they used data on hominin species size and diet information from fossils to model sugar, protein, fiber, starch, and fat intake over four million years.
Early hominins, including Australopithecus afarensis, may have derived up to 66% of their energy from sugary foods like fruit and honey. Over human evolution, 20 to 35% of energy came from these sources. While not dismissing other food sources, the authors highlight that a balanced diet includes protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Critics note assumptions in the analysis, such as comparing A. afarensis to modern chimpanzees, which might not be accurate.
Despite uncertainties, the findings support existing theories about human diet and emphasize the importance of sweet foods for humans, including the need for vitamin C and sweetness receptors. The study adds to existing evidence on the role of fruit and sugar in our diets.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
