Gorillas are the largest primates in existence. Charismatic, incredibly strong and intelligent animals, gorillas share a similar digestive system and about 98% of their DNA with humans.
In the wild, gorillas live either in mountainous regions or dense forests, and their diet will depend on where they live. Gorillas are generally herbivores which means they usually eat vegetation such as fruit, wild celery, tree bark and tree pulp, vines, grasses, shrubs, bamboo shoots, leaves, stems, seeds, roots, flowers, and occasionally they may eat insects and small grubs; termites and larvae, ants, snails, worms and caterpillars. Sometimes they also enjoy aquatic plants (aquatic weeds). What is even more captivating is, gorillas rarely drink water from lakes or streams. They get all of the moisture they need from the succulent vegetation that is comprised of almost half water, and morning dew (water droplets from condensation).
These great apes need abundant and adequate food to fuel their large body. To get all the food they require and achieve the appropriate nutrition needed, they must travel in search of food sources. Animal diet shapes an animals’ entire physiology and way of living. Gorillas maintain daily exercise activity that works their mind and body by exploring and hunting for food. Mornings and evenings are designated to feeding activities (they walk, climb and eat), whilst the middle of the day is rest time (gorillas nap, play or groom one another) and night time is nesting time (time to sleep).
Interestingly, for an animal that is primarily a vegetarian, the gorilla is large and lean, super strong, powerful and muscular. No one actually knows how strong a gorilla really is. Relative to their size, a gorilla’s strength is about 10 times their body weight. The secret to their strength is the unique digestive system they have. A gorilla’s digestive system has evolved to make them more efficient plant eaters. Gorillas maintain their muscle mass from the protein rich leaves that they eat. Because plants have less protein, gorillas compensate by eating a lot of plant matter. This is why they spend much of their time eating. A gorilla’s stomach is larger than its chest for good reason. They have larger, longer intestines, to give their gut microbiome time to work; to convert plant matter and synthesising amino acids (amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins) into fuel for their muscle growth.
Gorillas eat for the health of their brain and the health of their nervous system. Natural, seasonal, nutrient rich foods provide all their daily energy requirements. Gorillas are social and engaging creatures, they spend leisure time at play, and prefer a laid back lifestyle.
An unnatural diet of processed food will contribute to chronic diseases and trigger unnatural behaviours (irritable, aggressive, depressed, anxious, and unable to concentrate, etc.). Appreciate the good life, just like gorillas do. Eat fresh, seasonal, plant based wholefoods that grow on Planet Earth that support better health and behaviour.
When you eat like a wild gorilla, you will flourish.
The ANH&F Team
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