A new study published in the journal Nature has shed light on the real Paleo diet, challenging previous assumptions about how ancient humans prepared their food. The study, which analyzed ancient food remains from two archaeological sites in Ethiopia and Kenya, found that early humans were cooking and processing their food much earlier than previously thought, and were not solely reliant on raw or minimally processed foods as was commonly assumed with the popular "Paleo" diet.

The researchers examined ancient hearths and artifacts used for food preparation at the sites, dating back to around 1.8 million years ago and 1.2 million years ago. They found evidence that early humans were using fire to cook food, and were also grinding and pounding plant material to make flour or porridge. This indicates a more sophisticated approach to food preparation and processing than previously assumed.

The study suggests that the Paleo diet, which emphasizes the consumption of raw or minimally processed foods based on the assumption that this is how our ancestors ate, may not be an accurate representation of the diets of early humans. The researchers argue that the archaeological evidence points to a more varied and processed diet that included cooked and ground plant foods, challenging the notion of a purely raw and meat-based diet.

The findings have implications for our understanding of human evolution and dietary adaptations. They suggest that early hominids were more behaviorally flexible and capable of adapting their diet to different environmental conditions, rather than being restricted to a single type of diet. The study expands our knowledge of the complexity and diversity of human diets in prehistory and contributes to a more accurate understanding of the foodways of our ancient ancestors.