Two new studies found that ancient human ancestors carried a surprising diversity of genes for amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch. By Carl Zimmer As soon as you put starch in your mouth ...

The amylase will break down the starch. A series of test tubes containing a mixture of starch and amylase is set up at different pHs.

“The idea is that the more amylase genes you have, the more starch you can digest. “This allowed humans to adapt to shifting diets as starch consumption rose dramatically with new technologies ...

The study team focused on a gene called AMY1, which allows humans to identify and begin breaking down complex carbohydrate starch in the mouth by producing the enzyme amylase. Without amylase ...