Are Humans Vegetarians By Nature?

Statement of Reason

Given scientific data on human biology, the theory of evolution, and scientific studies on what are

documented as human ancestors from the past and recent history, it stands to reason that humans are

herbivorous (vegetarian) by nature

Biological Overview• Humans have longer digestive tracts• The teeth and jaw of homo sapiens are just recently

starting to adapt to that of an omnivorous diet• The jaw, legs, and nails of humans are not strong

enough to capture and immobilize prey without the use of tools

• All flesh-eating animals can naturally digest their prey raw, and crave and consume it without seasoning or preparing it in any fashion

A satirical vegetarian-geared comic based on many of the prominent biological features humans do not have that other land based carnivores do

Artist Unknown

Digestive Tract• Carnivores and omnivores have shorter intestines• Natural meat-eaters have larger stomach capacity• Stomach acidity in Humans is 20 times weaker than in

carnivores• Meat needs to digest rapidly, otherwise it will rot

inside the intestinal tract• Human’s well developed salivary glands are for

breaking down fruits, vegetables, and grains• Carnivores swallow whole pieces of flesh, and

sometimes, entire animals

Digestive Tract

Reference Milton R. Mills, (2009)

Teeth and Jaw• Human teeth are mostly flat

for grinding and extensive chewing

• Humans have a carbohydrate digestive enzyme in their mouth

• Homo sapiens teeth have adapted more to break down plant material

• Carnivores have stronger jaws for tearing flesh

Reference Lewin and Foley, (2004)

Teeth and Jaw In the 2004 edition of “Principles of Human

Evolution,” Lewin and Foley point out that “Only with the evolution of Homo ergaster (erectus) 1.9 million years ago does the toothwear pattern make a shift, perhaps indicating the inclusion of a significant amount of meat in the diet”

Teeth and Jaw for Chewing

Reference Milton R. Mills, (2009)

Legs, Jaw, and Nails• Mills (2009) asserts that “An animal which captures, kills

and eats prey must have the physical equipment which makes predation practical and efficient”

• Human jaw cannot withstand tearing into natural, unprepared flesh

• Carnivore nails, or claws, are sharp for helping kill and rip apart prey

• Humans do not have the leg strength or endurance to constantly chase prey

Jaw and Nail Structure

Reference Milton R. Mills, (2009)

Early Human Ancestors

• Eaton and Konner (1985) state that “From about 24 to 5 million years ago fruits appear to have been the main dietary constituent for hominids...since 4.5 million years ago our ancestral feeding pattern included increasing amounts of meat.”

• The term hominids refers to early cross-evolution species of humans closest to apes

• Lizard and bug remnants are most commonly found “meat” particles in fossilized teeth from human ancestors

Modern Human Ancestors

• The vast inclusion of meat in human diet did not erupt until between the 16th and 18th centuries

• Meat must be cooked to consume in larger quantities safely, contrary to that of carnivores, which will not consume “cooked” meat in the wild, such as that from a forest fire

• Develop more diseases and health issues related to meat products than any other dietary item

Modern Human Necessity

• Even modern food pyramids indicate that meat intake is one of the lowest requirements of human diet, and can be substituted with legumes, nuts, and seeds

• The National Cancer Institute estimates 3 out of 4 health and disease related deaths are caused by improper diet

• Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, inventor of the ever-so popular “Corn Flakes,” also “invented” modern day vegetarianism

• Dr. Kellogg maintained that a low protein diet strengthened resistance to disease, promoted longevity, and increased physical and mental endurance; whereas a high protein diet overtaxed the kidneys and liver, and contributed to the accumulation of toxins in the intestines

• As a surgeon, he restricted his patients to a vegetarian diet weeks before surgery

Did You Know?

Conclusion

• Human biology is most similar to herbivores, and is only recently adapting to a more omnivorous diet

• Highly carnivorous diet in humans attributes to an estimated 75% of health related deaths and issues such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure

• “While carnivores take pleasure in killing animals and eating their raw flesh, any human who killed an animal with his or her bare hands and dug into the raw corpse would be considered deranged”

Bibliography

• “The Comparative Anatomy of Eating,” Vegsource, Milton R. Mills, (2009)• “Fit Food For Humanity,” Natural Hygiene Press, no author cited (1982)• “Teeth of the Earlier Forms of Prehistoric Man,” Arthur Keith (1913)• “Paleolithic Nutrition: a Consideration of its Nature and Current

Implications,” The New England Journal of Medicine, Boyd Eaton and Melvin Konner (1985)

• “Principles of Human Evolution,” Roger Lewin and Robert Foley (2004)• “The Vegetable Passion,” Janet Barkas, (1975)• National Cancer Institute• GoVeg.com