Tag: Neanderthals

Multiple studies using different methods have largely concluded that Neanderthals required significantly higher daily energy, potentially hundreds of calories more than early modern humans. So, did Neanderthals need more calories than humans? The scientific consensus points to yes, and the reasons are deeply rooted in their evolutionary biology and lifestyle.

Recent archaeological findings at the site of Gesher Benot Ya’akov suggest early humans were processing and consuming a wide variety of starchy plants as far back as 780,000 years ago. This discovery fundamentally challenges the long-held assumption that prehistoric diets consisted almost exclusively of meat. Far from a meat-only regimen, early hominids developed sophisticated methods for processing and enjoying plant-based foods, fundamentally altering our understanding of human nutrition and evolution.

Recent scientific research, including studies on fossilized dental plaque, indicates that early humans consumed starchy carbohydrates, challenging the popular notion of a strictly low-carb Paleolithic diet. Instead of relying solely on meat, our ancient ancestors utilized roots, tubers, and other plant-based sources to fuel their active lifestyles and evolving brains.