Humans Aren’t Herbivores: The Science of Being an Omnivore
The moral argument against killing and eating animals is one thing, but the claim that humans are “naturally” vegetarian is another—and it doesn’t hold up to biological scrutiny. We are opportunistic omnivores, which helps explain why vegans must carefully manage their diets to maintain healthy blood cells.
Consider your teeth: they represent generalized dentition, a hallmark of classic omnivores. Our closest evolutionary relative, the chimpanzee, actively hunts and consumes Colobus monkeys, which are among their most frequent prey. Inside the human gut, there’s no fermenting vat, no efficient enzymes for breaking down grasses, and no ability to synthesize key vitamins and amino acids. Instead, we rely on symbiotic bacteria that thrive on metabolizing animal tissues—a digestive setup distinctly suited to an omnivorous diet.
This isn’t an attack on plant-based eating. Fruits and vegetables are enjoyable and beneficial, and many vegans consume more of them than most people. But the biology is clear—we are omnivores, regardless of claims like PETA’s that suggest otherwise. If that conflicts with your ethical framework, the science suggests you may need to adapt your moral schema accordingly.
