Here’s how potatoes changed human evolution #science #evolution

I can't think of another species I’d rather co-evolve with.

Produced by Complexly for PBS Digital Studios

[oxylepy]

In the Peruvian Andes potatoes selectively breed you!

[PeppersnGlowworms]

Well, we changed them and they changed us right back...

[NevTheDeranged]

Reminds me of that Michael Pollan book about how agriculture works both ways- we change plants and they change us right back.

[misanthropichumanist]

That makes sense. Other starch crops influenced us similarly, afterall.

[tiefensucht]

Now we self evolve into couch potatoes and soon share an identic DNA.

[tiacho]

It makes sense. IIRC, wolves lack the ability to digest most starches. But their cousins, the domesticated canines, have evolved the ability to digest starches because human food became their primary food source.

[javierperz]

Makes sense, my family (from Chile, one of those populations eating potatoes for a long a$$ time) used to eat potato starch mixed with water and instant coffee for breakfast, and I’ve never heard of anyone having problems digesting this. In fact it’s still offered as a breakfast option in hospitals; they skip the instant coffee, I believe

[ricardokowalski]

How long until we discover the McDonalds gene marker? 😂

[wayIess]

I think I remember similar genetic situations with other foods and groups of people. The easiest one that comes to mind is lactose tolerance and milk. Wheat and wheat based alcohols are another.

[CadetKosmov]

This may sound dumb but I didn’t know evolution could be so recent. I always thought we were all pretty much the same for the last 50 thousand years or so

[chubbrock]

"hear me out" -all Eons hosts ever

[terbear]

Potatoes are manna from heaven. I could eat them forever and not get sick of them.

[MasterArchfiend]

The humble spud is more powerful than most can imagine.

[pandoraeeris]

You're telling me, I'm half potato myself!

[lightbeingform]

Who selectively bred who? Is the bumper sticker we need

[le]

So this is why irish people are so much different to any of us!

[purplexninjamom]

Potato has been, is and always will be my favourite food, through three pregnancies and every sickness there has only ever been one day in my life where I couldn´t stand potato. It was when I had covid. Potatoes rock!

[victorhopper]

luther changed the potato like forever

[Capt.Slappy]

I really hope it is just the lighting, but that potato looks super green. If it is, don't eat it.

[VILEPAINTS]

Peruvian-Irishman: U know nothing of my ways mortal!!!!