Recent evidence suggests that early humans, including Neanderthals, did not primarily rely on a meat-based diet. While early humans did consume meat, their diets also included plant foods such as nuts, fruits, and tubers, as evidenced by remains found in caves. This challenges the popular belief that our Paleolithic ancestors only ate meat, with research showing that a variety of foods were consumed for energy and nutrients.

Meat-heavy diets, like the carnivore diet promoted on social media, can pose risks due to nutrient deficiencies. Influencers in this space are beginning to incorporate more plant foods into their diets, with some abandoning strict meat-only eating habits after experiencing negative symptoms. Experts caution against solely relying on meat for nutrition, emphasizing the importance of plant foods for overall health and disease prevention.