A new study reveals a surprising truth: alcohol consumption isn't just a human pastime. It’s more common in the animal kingdom than we ever imagined. Veuer’s Maria Mercedes Galuppo has the story.
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00:00A new study reveals a surprising truth. Alcohol consumption isn't just a human pastime,
00:05it's more common in the animal kingdom than we ever imagined, reports The Hill.
00:09Ethanol, the alcohol found in fruits and grains, is everywhere,
00:12forming naturally as fruit ripens. As fallen fruit decays, yeast converts sugar into ethanol.
00:18While most fruit has only 1-2% alcohol, similar to kombucha, some, like rotten palm fruit,
00:24can exceed 10%. But even small amounts can leave animals feeling tipsy.
00:28This changes our view. Ethanol isn't just for humans, it's been around for millions of years,
00:33influencing animal behavior. Interestingly, many animals have adapted genes to process
00:38alcohol without getting drunk, allowing them to enjoy the sweet reward of nature
00:42while avoiding predators. But do they seek intoxication? That remains a mystery.
00:46For social animals, a little buzz might enhance bonding. Ethanol could trigger feelings of
00:51relaxation, beneficial for social interactions. As we delve deeper, we may discover that the
00:56world of animals drinking alcohol holds secrets about their social lives we've only begun to
01:00understand. In nature, the line between intoxication and social connection may be thinner than we
01:06thought.