The 9,000 year old history of humans and alcohol

Courtesy of National Geographic Magazine.

The latest issue of the magazine (February 2017) includes an excellent and very interesting article about our ‘love affair’ with booze.

Some of the facts extracted from the article below – including some infographics:

• The earliest proof of an alcoholic beverage dates back to China 9,000 years ago
• It was a mixed drink of fermented rice, honey, hawthorn fruit and/or grape
• Our primate ancestors first started consuming alcohol via fermented fruit
• Humans have evolved to consume alcohol – and we even have a gene that makes it possible for us to digest it faster

Throughout history, the consumption of alcohol may have helped people become more creative, advancing the development of language, art and religion.

This is because alcohol lowers inhibitions and makes people feel more spiritual.

For the full article – please click here.