Last Updated on September 27, 2023 by Aditi Gangal
Quick Take
A social media post asserts that humans cannot digest meat. The post argues that our bodies are primarily designed for processing plant-based foods, given our omnivorous nature. Additionally, it contends that our bodies lack the necessary mechanisms to digest meat. However, we fact-checked this claim and found to be false.
The Claim
In a Facebook video circulated by Earth Healed Me, a woman asserts that our biological system is structured for omnivores. She emphasizes that the human body predominantly benefits from a plant-based diet and finds it odd that we attempt to consume and digest meat. She suggests that our bodies are not equipped for this. In response, a man emphasizes the importance of recognizing that humans are fundamentally distinct from animals. He believes this distinction plays a significant role in our dietary choices.
We have attached a screenshot of the post below:
Fact Check
Who are omnivores?
Omnivores are animals, including humans, that have a diet consisting of both plant-based and animal-based foods. They have an ability to consume a wide variety of food sources. This allows them to adapt to different environments and nutritional availability. Omnivores have digestive systems and teeth that are adapted to process both plant matter and meat, making them versatile in their dietary choices. This adaptability is in contrast to strict herbivores (plant-eaters) or carnivores (meat-eaters) that primarily rely on one type of food source for their nutrition.
Are human omnivores?
Yes, humans are omnivores. Throughout our evolutionary history, humans consumed a varied diet that included both plant-based and animal-based foods. This omnivorous diet provided the essential nutrients and energy needed for survival and allowed our species to adapt and thrive in various environments. This dietary flexibility has been a crucial factor in human evolution and the development of our physiology, including our digestive system, which can digest a range of foods, including meat and plant matter.
Can humans digest meat?
Yes, Living organisms continually adapt to changing environments, including food availability. DNA evidence spanning 300,000 years indicates that humans have consistently evolved to adapt to their surroundings. Therefore, the notion that humans are designed for a fixed diet is flawed.
The ancestors of all animals including human, were carnivorous, but many animals have evolved into herbivores. Humans, demonstrated by their dental structure, are omnivorous, capable of consuming both plant and animal matter. Incisors and molars facilitate plant-based food consumption, while canine teeth resemble carnivores’ for flesh tearing. This adaptability underscores humans’ capacity to thrive on a diverse diet.
Is the human stomach designed for meat?
The human stomach is adaptable to digest a variety of foods, including meat. So, it is incorrect to say that humans cannot digest meat. While our stomachs can break down proteins found in meat, they are also capable of digesting plant-based foods. The ability to process a range of food sources is a characteristic of our omnivorous nature. This suggests that our stomachs are not exclusively designed for meat but rather adaptive to handle a diverse diet that includes both animal and plant matter.
What humans cannot digest?
Humans have limitations in digesting certain substances. Cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls, largely passes through the digestive system undigested as humans lack the necessary enzymes to break it down. Additionally, large or tough food particles may not fully break down, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort or blockages. So, people should opt for dietary restrictions as per their tolerances.
Which bodily functions can digest meat?
- Stomach Acid Production: The stomach produces hydrochloric acid, which helps break down the proteins in meat and creates an acidic environment necessary for digestion.
- Enzyme Secretion: The stomach also secretes enzymes, such as pepsin, that further aid in breaking down meat proteins into smaller peptides.
- Pancreatic Enzymes: The pancreas releases digestive enzymes, including trypsin and chymotrypsin, into the small intestine to further break down proteins from meat into amino acids.
- Bile Production: The liver produces bile, which stores in the gallbladder and releases into the small intestine to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats present in meat.
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