A new study has revealed that alcohol consumption by fruit-eating animals is more common than we thought. The findings show that ethanol is frequently found in the natural environment and this is true for many animals.
A research team from the University of Exeter examined 100 existing sources to determine the role of alcohol in the evolutionary history of animals. This study shows that ethanol was spread into the natural environment 100 million years ago by yeasts that fermented the nectar of the first flowering plants.
Ethanol consumption of frugivorous animals
The findings reveal that ethanol forms an evolutionary chain between plants, yeast, bacteria and mammals. It is also emphasized that fruit-eating animals are likely to consume ethanol regularly. This shows that some animals’ ability to metabolize ethanol has improved.
It has been revealed that primates such as humans, chimpanzees and gorillas have the ability to produce a special enzyme that increases ethanol tolerance. While alcohol consumption has an important place in the feeding habits of animals, it is also stated that excessive alcohol consumption carries life-threatening risks in nature. Ethanol consumption appears to be an important factor in the evolutionary history of animals.
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