Followers of the paleo diet eat the way our prehistoric ancestors were supposed to. No processed food, and especially lots of red meat. Because, the paleo followers claim, that is what our bodies are made for. For these meat lovers, a recent study by Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (France) will be something to swallow. Because it shows what our ancestors really ate.
Meat or fish on the diet
The bodies of 34 people of the Ibéromaurisin culture were found in the Moroccan Taforalt Cave in 1908. This prehistoric people walked around North Africa between 25,000 and 10,000 years ago and lived by hunting and gathering. For a long time it was believed that the diet of these nomadic tribes should consist mainly of meat and fish. If only to get the necessary calories for their (relatively) large brains.
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But the research published yesterday shows that the Ibéromaurisin people had a plant-based diet. The French and Moroccan scientists discovered this by examining the tooth enamel of the cave dwellers. They found evidence of a diet of acorns, pine seeds and wild berries. And their children also received a lot of green food.
Also no meat in paleo diet in Peru
The Moroccan tribe found is not alone in its vegetarian tendencies. An earlier study of prehistoric peoples in Peru came to the same conclusion. The scientists examined the bones of found cavemen and concluded that 70 to 95 percent of their diet consisted of plant products.
The real paleo diet
It was already known that the paleo diet is not as healthy as some people believe. But if you want to tap into your inner primal man, then nibble on green food. Okay, supplemented with the occasional piece of meat, but catch it yourself of course.
