Tag: Nutritional history

According to one source, the idea that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' was not a scientific discovery but one of the most successful marketing campaigns of all time. This notion was initially created to encourage people to purchase more cereal products.

In the mid-19th century, prominent German physiologist Carl von Voit established a scientific basis for high protein intake, recommending 118 grams daily for an active man. This early academic emphasis set the stage for an enduring obsession with protein that has dramatically evolved over the last century and a half.

According to a 1908 article in the *Vegetarian Messenger*, the famous American inventor Thomas Edison adopted a vegetarian diet following an illness but later renounced it, experimenting instead with more unusual eating habits. His dietary practices changed significantly throughout his life, driven by health crises and his experimental nature.

Contrary to modern assumptions, the ancient Spartans were far from vegan, with historical sources confirming that meat, blood, and other animal products were central to their austere diet. Their focus was not on avoiding animal products, but on consuming simple, nutrient-dense foods to build strength and endurance. This article will delve into the factual evidence of their diet, demystifying the legends surrounding these legendary warriors.

Contrary to modern images of hyper-muscular physique, historical accounts suggest Spartans were leaner and more functional in build. So, did Spartans eat healthy? Their austere diet, rich in whole foods but lacking variety, presents a complex picture that is both surprisingly nutritious and notoriously unappetizing by today's standards.

Before the 1920s, up to 70% of children in some US regions suffered from iodine deficiency, manifesting as goiter. This public health crisis is precisely why Morton salt became iodized, a decision that would transform the health of an entire nation.

In the early 20th century, a time before the general public understood the concept of essential micronutrients, biochemist Elmer McCollum made groundbreaking discoveries that would forever change our understanding of health and nutrition. McCollum's innovative use of rat colonies for nutritional experiments led to the identification of several key vitamins and fundamentally shifted public health strategies.

The earliest evidence of cheesemaking dates back approximately 8,000 years to Poland, and it was during this ancient process that the liquid known as whey was first discovered, initially a disregarded byproduct.

The Nutrilite brand, founded by Carl F. Rehnborg, is widely credited with introducing the first multivitamin/multimineral supplement for sale in the United States in 1934. His innovative product was the result of years of research and observation into the connection between diet and health.

In the late 1890s, the Dutch physician Christiaan Eijkman observed that chickens fed polished rice developed a paralytic condition similar to beriberi, which could be cured with unpolished rice, ultimately leading to the discovery of the earliest known vitamin. This breakthrough marked a pivotal moment in nutritional science.