The Unique Energy Evolution of Humans
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
A Harvard study reveals that humans have evolved to possess higher metabolic rates than other mammals, including apes and chimpanzees. This unique metabolic trait, characterized by high resting and active metabolism, allowed early humans to support larger brains, longer lifespans, and increased reproduction. Unlike other primates, humans can maintain high activity levels without compromising resting metabolic rates, partly due to their ability to dissipate heat through sweating. The research challenges previous beliefs about primate metabolism and highlights humans' energetic uniqueness.