Why the Paleo diet is too simplistic

[firecat]

This article talks about how humans vary in how many copies we have of a gene that codes for a carbohydrate-processing enzyme. Humans who live in societies where starch is a major part of the diet tend to have more copies.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/12/11/amylase-and-human-evolution/

When I say the Paleo diet is too simplistic, I mean that this is evidence human digestion has evolved since the introduction of agriculture. If you are on the Paleo diet and feel happy and healthy, that's cool.

Comments

[supermouse]

I think it's a combination of the colder climate meaning fatty foods are preferred; the difficulty of growing many fatty plant foods in Northern Europe, meaning animal fats are easier to get hold of; the need to eat preserved food only for several months of the year; a wish to showcase some foods they produced very well (for example, English roast beef being served very simply to enjoy its rich flavour), and probably many other things I haven't even thought of.