Introduction: Unlocking Our Dietary Past
The question of what our bodies are truly designed to eat is a topic of intense debate. A close examination of human physiology, from our teeth to our digestive system and beyond, reveals a compelling set of clues about our evolutionary past. This site presents a collection of facts that suggest humans may be more carnivorous than we often believe, inviting you to consider the evidence.
The Absence of Cellulase Enzymes
Humans do not produce cellulase enzymes, which are necessary to break down plant cellulose. This is a fundamental difference between our digestive system and that of true herbivores. As a result, plant-based cellulose passes through our body completely undigested, what we refer to as "fiber." It is essentially waste that our system cannot process.
The Lack of a Second Stomach
Herbivores, such as cows and other ruminants, possess a second stomach specifically for the fermentation of plant matter. Our digestive system lacks this organ entirely, which is a clear indication that our bodies are not built to process large quantities of fibrous plants for nutrition.
The Vestigial Appendix
The human appendix is considered the atrophied, inactive, and vestigial remains of a second stomach. Its presence suggests that at some point in our evolutionary history, our ancestors may have had a more plant-based diet, but that has long since ceased to be the case, leaving the organ as an inert remnant.
Our Carnivorous Molars
Contrary to popular belief, our molars are not designed for grinding plants. They are sharp, jagged, and interlock with the opposing teeth, a design perfectly suited for tearing and shearing meat, similar to other carnivores. This physical structure makes it impossible for our jaws to perform the side-to-side grinding motion characteristic of herbivores.
Jaws Built for Shearing, Not Grinding
The way our jaws function is a direct result of our dental structure. The interlocking molars mean we cannot move our jaws laterally like a cow. This forward and backward motion is ideal for ripping and chewing flesh, but completely unsuited for breaking down tough plant fibers.
The Contrast to Herbivore Teeth
To further highlight the difference, consider the flat molars of true herbivores. Their teeth are designed for grinding tough plant matter, a function our jagged teeth cannot perform. This simple comparison reveals a stark difference in dietary design.
Incisors Designed for Stripping Meat
Our incisors are sharp and chisel-like, a perfect design for stripping meat from bones. This is a clear adaptation for a diet that includes animal flesh, allowing us to easily access the nutrient-dense parts of our prey.
The Misconception About Canines
The presence of large canine teeth is not an absolute indicator of a carnivorous nature. Many herbivores, such as gorillas and bonobos, have large canines for defense or display, while many carnivores, like certain birds or insects, lack them entirely. This demonstrates that canines alone are not proof of a carnivorous diet.
Dental Health and Diet
We are the only animal that needs a specific oral hygiene protocol to prevent tooth decay and tooth loss. Sugar reacts with human saliva to produce a corrosive acid, a problem that is nonexistent in animals on their natural diet. This suggests that a high-sugar, high-phytate, or high-oxalate diet is not what our bodies were built for. Those on a zero-sugar carnivorous diet report no need to brush their teeth.
Tool Use Replaces Mouth Weaponry
Humans have used tools for hunting for over 4 million years, a span of time that has rendered powerful mouth weaponry unnecessary. Our evolution has instead favored a different kind of weapon: the human throwing arm. This unique adaptation allows us to throw a 300g stone at over 100mph, an ability unmatched in nature, which makes killing prey at a distance far more efficient than engaging them directly with our mouths.
A Short and Fast Digestive System
Our digestive system is short and fast, a trait shared with other hyper-carnivores. This short gut is not designed for the slow fermentation required to break down plant matter. This is precisely why plant fibers come out as waste, as our short colons cannot process them effectively.
The Lack of a Ruminant Habit
Obligate herbivores often have to re-eat expelled plant matter to get a second chance at fermentation and absorption. This behavior is completely absent in humans, further demonstrating that our biology is not aligned with that of a herbivore.
Highly Acidic Stomach pH
The human stomach has an extremely low pH of 1.5 to 2.5, a level similar to that of a vulture. This powerful acidity is not just for breaking down meat, but also for neutralizing pathogens found in raw or even rancid meat. This is in stark contrast to an omnivore's pH of 3-4 and a herbivore's pH of 5-8.
The Gallbladder and Fat Digestion
We have a gallbladder designed to deacidify the highly acidic stomach chyme and emulsify fats, just like other hyper-carnivores. Many herbivores with a higher stomach pH do not possess a gallbladder, as they do not consume high amounts of fat that require emulsification.
Our Low-Frequency Eating Habits
Herbivores must graze constantly to maintain the fermentation process. Humans, on the other hand, only need to eat sparingly. This trait is shared with other carnivores and is a crucial adaptation that gives us ample time to hunt and pursue prey.
Anthropological Evidence from N-15 Isotopes
Nitrogen-15 isotope levels in bone minerals are an anthropological standard for identifying the dietary habits of animals. For the entire Homo genus, including sapiens, erectus, and habilis, N-15 levels consistently indicate that they were obligate hyper-carnivores.
The Modern Decline in Human Health
Since the advent of agriculture and the shift to a low-animal-protein diet, modern humans are significantly shorter, weaker, and have a brain size that is 150cc smaller than that of our ancient Homo sapien ancestors. A carnivore that requires a nutrient-dense diet will atrophy when fed nutrient-poor plant-based foods.
The Problem of Dental Overcrowding
Due to the changes in our diet and the resulting smaller jaws, our tooth population has not changed, leading to frequent dental overcrowding. This is a feature found in no other animal in nature because all other animals consume the species-appropriate diet they are genetically designed for.
Stereoscopic Vision for Predation
Humans have stereoscopic vision, which provides us with excellent depth perception. This is a requirement for all predators who need to track and pinpoint prey, a stark contrast to the panoramic vision of most prey animals.
Omega-3 Fats and Sun Tolerance
Humans on a carnivorous diet, which is rich in Omega-3 fats, can tolerate heat and direct sunlight better than we think. Omega-3 fats in our skin are not easily broken down by UV light, unlike Omega-6 fats, which are prevalent in plant-based diets. This makes our skin sun-resilient, perfect for running naked on the African savannah.
The Unstoppable Persistence Hunter
Humans are the only animal that sweats over their entire skin surface. This efficient cooling mechanism allows us to cool down and breathe at the same time, giving us the ability to outlast prey over long distances, a hunting strategy known as persistence hunting. Prey animals have to stop and pant to cool down.
The Deadly Warburg Effect
Named after the Nobel Prize winner who discovered it in the 1920s, the "Warburg Effect" shows that a high-sugar diet is deadly to humans. Sugar is the leading fuel for cancer and is a major contributor to all modern metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. The human body requires a diet rich in animal fats and high-quality protein, with zero sugar, to function optimally.
The Nutrient Deficiencies of Plant-Based Diets
Plant-based diets are often too high in sugar, too low in fats, and have a poor omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. They also lack essential nutrients like choline and vitamin B12. Furthermore, plant phytotoxins, such as lectins and oxalates, bind to minerals like zinc and iron, making it impossible for the human digestive system to absorb them, leading to long-term deficiencies.
The Distinction Between Real and Processed Meat
When we discuss the benefits of a carnivorous diet, it is crucial to distinguish between **real meat** and **processed meat**. Real meat refers to unprocessed cuts of muscle, organ meat, and fat from animals. This is the nutrient-dense food that fueled our ancestors. Processed meat, on the other hand, has been altered through methods like curing, salting, smoking, or the addition of chemical preservatives, such as found in bacon, hot dogs, and some sausages. The health concerns associated with meat consumption are often linked to these processed products, not to the whole, natural form of meat.
Disclaimer
This website provides information for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.