# Carbs, not just meat, fuelled human brain evolution, study says 2026-08-08T13:02:18+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A study published in Science argues that carbohydrates, not just meat, were essential for human brain evolution. Researchers modelled the macronutrient needs of hominins over four million years and found that dietary sugars from fruit, honey and later cooked starch provided the glucose needed to fuel the brain's heavy energy demands. The brain consumes about 20% of the body's energy, rising to 66% in children. Meat alone could not supply enough glucose, especially before fire was mastered. The study suggests that traits like sweet taste receptors and smaller teeth evolved in response to carbohydrate intake, not animal foods alone. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Brain development, carbohydrates, diet, glucose, human evolution, scientific study Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/carbs-not-just-meat-fuelled-human-brain-evolution-study-says/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/carbs-not-just-meat-fuelled-human-brain-evolution-study-says/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.