Investigators have pinpointed the reason behind humans' attraction towards alcohol consumption.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of California have discovered that wild chimpanzees in Uganda and Côte d'Ivoire consume large amounts of intoxicating fruits on a daily basis. This revelation provides a scientific explanation for humans' attraction to alcoholic beverages and supports the long-standing 'drunken ape' hypothesis.
The study, reported by Scientific American, analysed the diet of these primates, finding that they consume around 75% fruits daily. Among the 20 types of fruits preferred by primates, some contain approximately 0.3% ethanol. This equates to around 14 grams of pure alcohol per day for a chimpanzee, which is roughly equivalent to two to three glasses of wine for a human.
The social activity of these primates increases in areas with more ripe fruits, suggesting that alcohol may play a role in their social behaviour. The study's findings also indicate that ethanol is widespread in tropical fruits, a fact that could have significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of alcohol consumption among primates.
The researchers attribute our 'love' for alcohol to our closest ancestors, the chimpanzees. They propose that the effects of ethanol on primate ancestors may have contributed to modern alcohol preference. The 'drunken ape' hypothesis, first proposed 25 years ago, has now been proven by this study.
The study's findings were published in the journal Science Advances and add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the consumption of alcohol by various animals, including primates, may have biological origins. Similar observations of alcohol consumption have been made in elephants, tree shrews, and some birds, further supporting this hypothesis.
This research not only sheds light on the evolution of alcohol consumption but also offers a fascinating insight into the behaviour of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. As we continue to explore the mysteries of our evolutionary past, it is studies like these that help us to better understand our own nature and the choices we make.
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