Evidence Suggests Insect Consumption Traces Back 9,000 Years, Varies by Region

Researchers examined ancient human teeth and DNA to trace insect consumption patterns. Findings indicate that modern humans in northern Eurasia ate insects only sporadically, whereas Neanderthals likely incorporated them more regularly into their diet. Additionally, genetic analysis shows that populations living near tropical regions possess alleles that facilitate digestion of insect exoskeletons. These results suggest that insect eating habits and the genetic capacity to process them have varied across time and geography, reflecting adaptation to local food availability.