Researchers at the University at Buffalo and the Jackson Laboratory discovered that humans' ability to digest starchy foods is linked to ancient duplications of a gene called AMY1. This gene produces the enzyme amylase which breaks down starch into glucose. The researchers analyzed the genetics of 68 ancient human bodies, the oldest of which was from 45,000 years ago. However they believe the gene duplications could date back to 800,000 years ago. The gene was even shown to be present in Neanderthals. This all suggests human bodies adapted to starch very early on in their evolution. The research shows that as farming became more popular, the copying of the AMY1 copy increased, which further enhanced starch digestion. Humans adaptation to starchy foods greatly contributed to human survival because they would not have been able to digest all of the food coming from the farming without it. Researchers also believe the AMY1 gene's role in starch digestion could provide new insights into research on metabolic health, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
I do not want to imagine what life would have been like without those genes. Just another proof of adaptation in our own species. Wonderful research and wonderful topic. Maybe we outlived the Neanderthals because we got better at eating bread...
ReplyDeleteI love knowing that the adaptation to carbs came from so long ago. I also find it very interesting how much humans tend to evolve in order to survive in every situation. Awesome topic!
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