Wild chimpanzees enjoy a surprising treat: they can consume the equivalent of a bottle of lager’s worth of alcohol daily by eating ripe fruit. This intriguing behavior suggests that our own attraction to alcohol might stem from shared ancestry with these primates, who thrived on fermented fruit as a food source.
Aleksey Maro, a researcher from the University of California, Berkeley, highlights this connection. He explains that human fascination with alcohol could have roots in our common ancestor with chimpanzees. Observations show that chimps have long feasted on fallen fruits in their habitats.
In a new study, researchers assessed the ethanol levels in various fruits, like figs and plums, consumed by wild chimps in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda. They found that a chimp’s typical diet could lead to an intake of about 14 grams of ethanol daily—similar to around two UK alcohol units, or roughly one 330 ml bottle of beer.
This research supports the “drunken monkey” hypothesis, which posits that the human craving for alcohol is an evolutionary trait passed down from primates. The idea was introduced by Prof. Robert Dudley, also part of this research team. While initially met with skepticism, more discoveries about primates mingling with fermented foods have surfaced recently. Prof. Catherine Hobaiter from the University of St Andrews notes that our connection with alcohol spans back around 30 million years, possibly serving as a social bonding activity among chimps.
Interestingly, Dr. Kimberley Hockings from the University of Exeter pointed out that the chimps in this study are not consuming enough alcohol to get drunk, which wouldn’t help their survival. This serves as a reminder that while their behavior might seem indulgent, it’s part of a natural dietary pattern.
However, it’s essential to understand that chimpanzees face significant threats today. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, they are endangered, primarily due to deforestation, logging, and the encroachment of agriculture into their habitats. Protecting their environment is critical not only for their survival but also for the insights they provide into our own evolutionary history.
This study, published in the journal Science Advances, reveals fascinating connections between alcohol, chimpanzee behavior, and human ancestry. As we delve deeper into their diets and social interactions, we gain a better understanding of our own behaviors and the long-standing relationship between humans and alcohol.
