Question

Given what you have learned about nutrition, the body’s need for macro- and micro-nutrients, the sources of those nutrients, and problems that come from nutrient deficiencies, how do you think nutrition and health differs between hunter-gatherer communities and agricultural communities? Then compare these pre-modern diets with our modern diet today. Which community do you think is overall healthiest, and which do you think has the worst health? (~300-500 words)

Answer 1

Hunter gatherers were that group of ancient humans who hunted animals and also gathered fruits and other edible parts of plants for food. Therefore their diet consisted of both animal and plant products. They had ample source of animal proteins as well as plant nutrients in the form of carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Their diet was balanced.

Agricultural communities depended more on plant products for food. Their staple diet consisted of grains and other plant products. Animal products like milk and flesh was also a part of their diet but the major source of nutrients was plant products.

Since, in the modern times, man has come to know about the nutrients required by the body and the complications that might arise due to lack of any of these nutrients, the diet plan has become more organized and scientific. Now-a-days, diet is planned according to the age of the individual and the type of work the person does. There are different requirements of nutrients for a growing child and an elderly person. Athletes and sports persons might require different nutrients depending on the type of physical fitness regime they follow.

Typically, a modern day diet should include enough of animal and plant proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Since, we have come to know about the good and the bad fatty food, the diet plan has to take into consideration which kind and how much of fats we are consuming. The intake of nutrients should be accompanied by enough of dietary fibers and water as well. This is necessary to keep the digestive system fit and healthy.

Of the three communities, the hunter gatherers might be the healthiest. The reasons for this would be that they were the most active physically. They had to be continuously on the go--- hunting or gathering food. This must have kept them agile and physically fit. Added to this, the combination of food stuff they had included both, animal and plant products in sufficient quantities.

The community having the worst health condition would be the modern day community. This is not because there is a scarcity of the nutrients needed by the body, but rather, it is because of the modern day lifestyle. At present, there is easy availability of food stuff as compared to pre-historic times. Added to this is our knowledge of how much and of what kind of nutrients our body needs. Still, health problems are more rampant now than before. There are several reasons for this, of which modern day lifestyle, is the biggest reason.

Early men were closer to nature and their life was in harmony with their surroundings. There were no physical comforts and perhaps this was the reason for their physical fitness. There were no cures for diseases, but, perhaps, the number and intensity of diseases was also less. So, in a nutshell, it can be said that the hunter-gatherers led a much healthier life than the modern day humans.