Bluetick's Link
It's funny you post this link; I've often tried to explain to some of those who insist on a non-meat diet that from a biological standpoint we are better designed to be carnivorous and not herbivorous.
Were it not for the intestinal microbiota we call carry in our large intesting many vegetables would be completely undigestable. We do not produce cellulase for example to break down cellulose.
We do however produce amylase, lipase and other enzymes that can break down the proteins found in meats. We possess canine incisors for tearing food and molars for grinding it.
Lastly we are being more aware of the role of excess carbohydrates in our diet (many of which come from grains (plants)) so your find to me is the icing on the cake.
Thanks for sharing!
We'd be in a world of hurt. In more ways than one.
:-)
I gotta admit, I prefer coleslaw on my barbecue sammich though.
I'll sacrifice a swimmer or two.
BlueDog's Link
Huh... not at all what I pictured for sure..
"Roman gladiators ate a mostly vegetarian diet and drank ashes after training as a tonic. These are the findings of anthropological investigations carried out on bones of warriors found during excavations in the ancient city of Ephesos.
Using spectroscopy, stable isotope ratios (carbon, nitrogen and sulphur) were investigated in the collagen of the bones, along with the ratio of strontium to calcium in the bone mineral.
The result shows that gladiators mostly ate a vegetarian diet. There is virtually no difference in terms of nutrition from the local "normal population". Meals consisted primarily of grain and meat-free meals. The word "barley eater" relates in this case to the fact that gladiators were probably given grain of an inferior quality.
Build-up drink following physical exertion The difference between gladiators and the normal population is highly significant in terms of the amount of strontium measured in their bones. This leads to the conclusion that the gladiators had a higher intake of minerals from a strontium-rich source of calcium. The ash drink quoted in literature probably really did exist. "Plant ashes were evidently consumed to fortify the body after physical exertion and to promote better bone healing," explains study leader Fabian Kanz from the Department of Forensic Medicine at the MedUni Vienna. "Things were similar then to what we do today - we take magnesium and calcium (in the form of effervescent tablets, for example) following physical exertion." Calcium is essential for bone building and usually occurs primarily in milk products."
Ya just know that stuff had to chafe.
:-)
The champions were often used to service female royalty.
Theirs was a steady diet of brunettes I'll bet. :^)
Not much of a secret back then, eh?
never thought of that.. maybe it was like pro wrestling and they were the loser guys.. or the team that plays against the Globe Trotters..
Why waste meat on them? ;)
