A breakthrough genomic study published this month reveals that ancient inhabitants of the Ahar-Banas culture (circa 2000 BCE) possessed unique genetic markers associated with the metabolism of black pepper and turmeric. The study, conducted on remains found in Udaipur, suggests that the integration of spices into the Indian diet was not merely cultural but influenced the local population's biology over several centuries.
This research provides the earliest known evidence of gene-diet co-evolution in the Indian subcontinent. Researchers found that these genetic adaptations allowed for better absorption of anti-inflammatory compounds, which may have helped the population survive the tropical pathogens prevalent in the humid regions of the Malwa plateau during the Bronze Age.