The energy consumption of the agricultural and food industry is not very high compared to other sectors. But without a reliable energy supply, there is nothing left to eat, especially in urban regions, regardless of whether the energy is needed to produce fertiliser, process grain, cool fish and fruit or for distribution. Without energy for agriculture and the food industry, people are starving. Udo Pollmer lets a breath of fresh air whistle through the media fog on energy policy.

by  Udo Pollmer May 30, 2024

We need smart solutions. For example, for the energy required to produce and prepare food. Due to our digestive tract, we humans can...

At Christmas, wafts of incense and the glow of candles tantalise the senses and warm the hearts of the faithful. But the white, balsamic scent that emanates from the incense burners is also capable of clouding our view of reality. Udo Pollmer analyses the chemistry of the festivities and shows how the clergy, with the help of willing pharmacists, make fools of their sheep.

by  Udo Pollmer Dec 2023, Update of Bon appetit, Dec 18, 2011 by  Udo Pollmer

Smoking is finally allowed again: At Christmas, the rustic smokers from the Erzgebirge let their fumes drift through the parlours. Smoking bans have so far only applied to  real people but not yet to  the small wooden incense figurines. Catholic churches are also exempt. There, the ancient...

Fruit is the miracle weapon of prevention: colourful, sugary sweet and pure nature. Seedless fruits are the most popular, i.e. those with which the plant can no longer reproduce in the wild. They are just "imitations" of a fruit, so to speak. Udo Pollmer explains how profound the technology is that produces such artificial products.

by Udo Pollmer /  November 4th, 2012, new version January 2024

Seedless fruit fetches higher prices than "normal" fruit. This is why plant breeders are working to expand the supply. In addition, it is not so easy to grow a new plant from fruit without seeds. This secures licence fees for new varieties.

But seedlessness is not a new achievement - at least in the case of grapes. The common grape variety "Thompson Seedless" is...

The fear of over-acidification has developed into a lucrative business. It arises from all the dangers of this world, whether sausages, electrosmog or over-fertilisation. With this cheap diagnosis, the dealers of alkaline powder make a lot of money with it. Fortunately, according to Udo Pollmer, the most important antidote to this nonsense is available at practically zero cost.

by Udo Pollmer /  December 2023

"Over-acidification" is considered a basic health problem of our time: even "the earth craves for deacidification", complains a medically approved health portal.¹ Holy shit!  Fortunately, there is a colourful assortment of alkaline rinsing powders. They "cleanse body and soul" and make the world a healthier place. Those who are annoyed by...

by Jutta Muth and Udo Pollmer

European Institute of Food and Nutrition Sciences e.V., D-27404 Gyhum, Am Kiebitzberg 10
(Based on a publication by JM & UP: Der Mensch - ein Coctivor. EU.L.E.n-Spiegel 2007, Issue 3-4, pp 5-13)
Der Mensch – ein Coctivor (177.77 KB)

Correspondence: Udo Pollmer, Scientific Director of the European Institute of Food and Nutrition Sciences e.V., 
Current Address: D-86456 Gablingen, Achsheimer Str. 6a, Upollmer(at)aol.com

Keywords: human evolution, coctivor, brain, digestive tract, food processing, fire

Summary

Due to the anatomic features of dentition and gastrointestinal tract, humans are coctivors compared to great apes. They depend on prepared, easily digestible food. High energy output from food at low digestion rate has only become possible by using fire and, later on, developing kitchen technology. It has generated resources to...