History of Nutrition
Jennifer Ramirez
Start
Early Beginnings
Before 10000 BC
- History of nutrition begins with the existence of food
- Edible foods vs nonedible
- Hunter-gatherer diet: plants, fruits, nuts, and hunted animals1,4
1.5 million years ago - Discovery of Fire
- Allowed for early cooking of food
- Significant reduction of pathogens
- Improved digestion and nutrient absorption1
The Agricultural Revolution - 10,000 BC
- Hunting declined
- Introduction of grains and dairy products4
- Increase in independent farming and allowed for settlement2
First Documentation ~ 4000 BC
- Egyptian prince documents medicinal use of food1
- Earliest example of dual role for food and medicine
Ancient Greek Beliefs ~ 400 BC
- Hippocrates known as "father of medicine"3
- Four humors theory
- Linked nutrition to overall health
Middle Ages to Enlightenment Period 1500s-1800s
- Santorio Santorio (1561-1636)
- Early Nutritional Theory
- Pioneer in study of metabolism
- Used weight measurements to help study metabolic processes1
- James Lind (1716-1794)
- Discovered treatment of scurvy1
- Scurvy linked to deficiency of vitamin C
- One of the first randomized controlled trial in nutrition
- Justus von Liebig (1803-1873)
- Published his work on organic chemistry and nutrition in 18273
- Identified macronutrients essential for health 1,3
- Laid foundation for modern nutrition science
A Rise to Public Health
- Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
- Introduced germ theory
- Developed pasteurization process
- Better understanding of food safety
- Early and Mid 20th century
- Establishment of multiple government agencies, Food and Agriculture Organization and the US Department of Agriculture3
- Shifted focus on public health and dietary concerns
References
References1.Li D. The history of nutritional sciences. PubMed. 2025;34(3):265-270. doi:https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.202506_34(3).00012.The Science Desk. The First Farmers: Tracing Humanity’s Agricultural Revolution. Science News Today. Published September 15, 2025. https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/the-first-farmers-tracing-humanitys-agricultural-revolution3.Nutrition | History Timeline. History Timelines. https://historytimelines.co/timeline/nutrition4.Monroe A. Rapid Communication Historical diets: A journey through time and nutrition. Allied Academics. doi:https://doi.org/10.35841/aaafn-7.5.228
History of Nutrition
Jennifer Ramirez
Created on October 27, 2025
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Transcript
History of Nutrition
Jennifer Ramirez
Start
Early Beginnings
Before 10000 BC
1.5 million years ago - Discovery of Fire
The Agricultural Revolution - 10,000 BC
First Documentation ~ 4000 BC
Ancient Greek Beliefs ~ 400 BC
Middle Ages to Enlightenment Period 1500s-1800s
- Santorio Santorio (1561-1636)
- James Lind (1716-1794)
- Justus von Liebig (1803-1873)
A Rise to Public Health
- Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
- Early and Mid 20th century
References
References1.Li D. The history of nutritional sciences. PubMed. 2025;34(3):265-270. doi:https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.202506_34(3).00012.The Science Desk. The First Farmers: Tracing Humanity’s Agricultural Revolution. Science News Today. Published September 15, 2025. https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/the-first-farmers-tracing-humanitys-agricultural-revolution3.Nutrition | History Timeline. History Timelines. https://historytimelines.co/timeline/nutrition4.Monroe A. Rapid Communication Historical diets: A journey through time and nutrition. Allied Academics. doi:https://doi.org/10.35841/aaafn-7.5.228