Diseases of Civilization

(Just a note to myself, and perhaps Max Redline.)

Most of these historical observations came from the colonial and missionary physicians like Schweitzer and Hutton, administering to populations prior to and coincidental with their first substantial exposure to Western foods. The new diet inevitably included carbohydrate foods that could be transported around the world without spoiling or being devoured by rodents on the way: sugar, molasses, white flour, and white rice. Then diseases of civilization, or Western diseases, would appear: obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and stroke, various forms of cancer, cavities, periodontal diseases, appendicitis, peptic ulcers, diverticulitis, gallstones, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and constipation. When any diseases of civilization appeared, all of them would eventually appear.

Gary Taubes, Good Calories, Bad Calories, Chapter Five: Diseases of Civilization.