Modern Paleo diet may not be so Paleolithic

Carbohydrates, largely overlooked in the modern Paleo diet, were actually a part of the food group consumed by our hunting-and-gathering forefathers, according to a new study published earlier this month. Although the diet works effectively on some trying to lose weight, researchers from the University of Chicago and some nutritionists suggest it is not a healthy alternative. Paleo experts are not convinced with the findings.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The low-carbohydrate diet was tagged successful for those who wanted to lose weight, but according to the recently published study from the University of Chicago, people from the Paleolithic era may have been eating carbohydrate-rich foods like tubers.

Kathleen Burke, from Marketwatch.com, reported that the carbohydrate food group was vital for brain growth over the last three million years and responsible for our modern genetic makeup.

In the modern version of the diet, people are advised to consume the same food groups our ancestors from 2.6 million and 100,000 years ago to achieve the same brain acceleration through nutrition. Foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, seafood, meat from grass-fed animals and free-range eggs are highly recommended, but the diet equally suggests consuming less of foods high in starch, dairy and processed.

"Eating meat may have kick-started the evolution of bigger brains, but cooked starchy foods together with more salivary amylase genes made us smarter still," concluded the study.

Researchers explain that higher levels of carbohydrates and starch are necessary in the true Paleo diet, as human activities needed energy that low-carb diets cannot provide.

However, a Paleo expert disagrees with the findings. "[Starch] is a poverty food and has little place in the modern diet meant to save you from the constant, huge stream of glucose and simple starches in our modern world," wrote Arthur De Vany in an email interview.

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