Our love of fish and chips goes back almost a million years, new study reveals
OUR love of fish and chips goes back almost a million years, a study reveals.
Neanderthals and cavemen had the same gene that makes us crave carbs such as spuds, experts say.
Called AMY1, it speeds up sugar digestion thanks to an enzyme called amylase in the saliva.
It meant our Fred Flintstone-like ancestors could guzzle loads of starchy grub more efficiently, helping ensure their survival.
It also explains why modern Brits love starch-heavy foods, with fish and chips ranked as our favourite meal.
Study author Dr Omer Gokcumen, from New York’s University of Buffalo, said: “The more amylase genes you have, the more starch you can digest.
“This allowed humans to adapt to shifting diets as starch consumption rose dramatically with new technologies and lifestyles.”
A study of ancient human remains found the AMY1 gene started around 800,000 years ago in Neanderthals.
It grew among hunter-gatherers who ate wild potatoes.
Modern humans flourished by developing further copies of the genes with a varied diet.
Dr Gokcumen said: “People with higher AMY1 copy numbers were likely digesting starch more efficiently and having more children.
“Their lineages ultimately fared better over a long evolutionary timeframe.”