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[–] Morbo 0 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago 

"Ancient" cultivars of modern foods like fruits and vegetables were less calorific than today's versions. By selectively cultivating these plants, we have not only changed their appearances and yield but also greatly increased their caloric content. Serving portions of the ancient versions of these foods would bring less food energy and potentially a more enriched balance of other nutrients but be less filling to a modern man's eating habits. Modern cultivars will be higher in starches, sugars and have less vitamins and nutrients because we selected for energy density over nutritional balance. So given all this, yes ancient cultivars were better, but it's kind of subjective depending on what you consider "healthy".

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[–] xenoPsychologist ago 

we selected for energy density over nutritional balance

i can see why they would have been bred in that direction. you can always get more nutrients, but not if you lack the energy to forage or hunt them. stops working when scarcity is less of an issue, as these days.