What seems to be missing from 21st century nutrition conversations is an understanding of the first principles, or foundations, that apply to all humans.

Out of all the foods that humans have consumed throughout our history, some have been particularly sought-after. Here is our summary of them, made by Mother Nature—discovered by your ancestors—and confirmed by modern scientific analysis.

These days, salt intake is widely-discouraged, viewed as another culprit for our health woes. But this is at odds with our history, culture, and animal physiology.