Phytochemicals as Evolutionary Mediators of Human Nutritional Physiology

Abstract

The roles of phytochemicals as mediators of chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease have an evolutionary basis. The omnivorous ancestors of modern humans ingested non-nutrients as well as nutrients from plants, and phytochemicals are a normal component of human dietary physiology. However, humans have a preference for animal fat and protein. Contemporary populations living a traditional subsistence life-style ingest phytochemicals as part of the diet but also from herbal medicines, beverages, food additives, tooth brushes and masticants. Maasai pastoralists who occupy African savannahs with similar ecological conditions experienced by hominids in the Pleistocene derive the majority of their calories from animal products. Their patterns of plant consumption offer insight into how human ancestors in such environments could have thrived as hunters and scavengers without suffering the ill-effects often associated with a high fat diet.