Brain food

Food for thought is an interesting review by anthropologist William Leonard covering the idea that shifts in food preferences over the course of human evolution were driven by the requirements of bigger brains, which itself may have been driven by climate induced ecosystem change. A more in depth review by Leonard and colleagues with references to the primary literature: Effects of Brain Evolution on Human Nutrition and Metabolism.

The work of primatolgist Katherine Milton provides very good background reading. The Critical Role Played by Animal Source Foods in Human (Homo) Evolution is a good place to start.

Some nice images here.