The Black Death's Surprising Link to Our Junk Food Obsession

A new study suggests that the dietary and hygienic changes brought about by the Black Death in the 1300s may be the reason why people today have a fondness for junk food. Researchers from Penn State University analyzed dental plaque from skeletons dating back to 2200 BC to 1835 AD and found that the bacteria in their mouths had changed significantly. The bacteria found in the samples were linked to low-fiber, high-carbohydrate diets, similar to additives commonly found in fast food. The study suggests that the Black Death may have triggered changes in people's diets, leading to the composition of their oral microbiomes and potentially influencing their preference for junk food.