Study Reveals Animals' Longstanding Relationship with Alcohol

New research suggests many animals, not just humans, have been consuming ethanol from fermented fruits for millions of years.

The study challenges the view that ethanol consumption is uniquely human, showing that many animals, including primates and insects, consume alcohol from natural sources.
Genetic evidence indicates that the ability to metabolize ethanol has evolved in animals like primates and fruit bats, suggesting evolutionary benefits.
Ethanol offers potential advantages such as providing calories, medicinal properties, and possibly enhancing social and cognitive behaviors in animals.
The prevalence of ethanol in nature is linked to the fermentation of sugar-rich plant materials, which many animals consume either intentionally or accidentally.
Further research is needed to understand the physiological effects of alcohol on animals and its role in their evolutionary history.