Food as we knew it: Food processing as an evolutionary discourse. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rogers, Michael A.; Amer, Hala
• Is Part Of: Trends in food science & technology. Volume 128(2022)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Industrial revolution -- Evolution -- Evolutionary discourse -- Ultra-processed foods -- Food processing -- Selective pressure; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2022.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The Industrial Revolution presented technological advancements that improved shelflife, palatability, convenience, availability, and safety of foods. These advancements led to reduced micronutrient-related diseases, greater food diversity, and enhanced food security; however, their chronic consumption, starting in the 1960s, has been implicated in epidemics of diet-related chronic diseases. Scope and approach: This commentary implies that diet potentially alters the human genome, evidenced by isolated populations consuming high starch versus low starch over successive generations. The control of fire and subsequent application to cooking illustrate that food processing potentially acts as an evolutionary discourse, and selective pressure favors less tooth dentation. Each is important to establish that the lack of whole food structure, the introduction of xenobiotics, and refined components in ultra-processed foods is an evolutionary discourse. Key findings and conclusions: Over the past 100 years, the displacement of dietary patterns that include meals and dishes prepared from whole or minimally processed foods by those increasingly based on ultra-processed foods and drinks has occurred globally. Such rapid, neoteric changes to food choice/diet had not occurred since the onset of bipedally when Neanderthals ventured from the forest searching for new food sources in response to changing climates. Only time can tell if changes imparted by ultra-processed foods being Western Society's staple represent a significant enough environmental discourse to drive evolutionary adaptations. Epidemiological studies are already pointing to the parallel between the globalization of UPF consumption and the rapid emergence of chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide (244 words). Highlights: UPFs are now the staple food for western society. Diets lacking a whole food structure represents a potential evolutionary discourse. Diet has acted as a selective pressure altering AMY1 copy variant number. The mastery of fire and cooking selected less tooth dentation.