Tag

Human Diet

All articles tagged with #human diet

science1 year ago•4 min saved

"Uncovering Ancient Diets: Bacteria in Bronze Age Teeth Shed Light on Human Health"

Two 4,000-year-old teeth discovered in Ireland contained an abundance of cavity-causing bacteria, shedding light on the impact of changes in the human diet on oral health. The presence of Streptococcus mutans, rare in ancient teeth due to its acid-producing nature, suggests a connection between dietary changes and tooth decay. Analysis of the ancient bacteria's traits and comparison to modern samples revealed its evolution alongside changes in human diet, particularly the popularization of sugar and cereal grains. The findings highlight the impact of dietary change on oral health and provide insight into the evolution of the human oral microbiota.

via CNN|

#ancient-teeth #bacteria #dental-health

archaeology1 year ago•4 min saved

"Uncovering Ancient Diets: 4,000-Year-Old Teeth Reveal Microbial Diversity and Dietary Impact"

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have analyzed microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth found in an Irish limestone cave, shedding light on the impact of changing human diets on oral health over the centuries. The study revealed major shifts in the oral microenvironment from the Bronze Age to today, including changes in bacterial composition linked to gum disease and tooth decay. The findings also support the "disappearing microbiome" hypothesis, suggesting that modern microbiomes are less diverse than those of our ancestors, which could have implications for human health.

via Phys.org|

#ancient-dna #archaeology #bronze-age

health-and-science1 year ago•4 min saved

"Decline of Plant Digestion in Urban Humans"

A new study indicates that urban living has caused a significant decrease in the number of cellulose-digesting bacteria in the human gut, while rural populations and hunter/gatherers still maintain a higher prevalence due to their high-fiber diets. The research found that humans host a mix of cellulose-eating bacteria, some inherited from primate ancestors and others acquired through the domestication of herbivores. The study also revealed that the prevalence of these bacteria is changing with changes in human diet, and the more fiber in a culture's diet, the more diverse their cellulose-digesting bacteria are. The findings suggest that while humans lack specialized structures to digest cellulose, these bacteria may still make critical contributions to our health.

via Ars Technica|

#cellulose-digestion #evolutionary-analysis #gut-bacteria