The Darwin Diet

Darwin's attempts to combat headaches, muscle spasms and flatulence had a lot in common with Atkins and a diet made famous by Beyonce, discovers Marcus Pearce Dizziness, muscle spasms, vomiting, cramps, bloating, headaches, fainting, anxiety and flatulence. With this formidable list of symptoms it is amazing that Charles Darwin ever managed to haul himself out of his sick bed and put pen to paper, let alone compose arguably the most influential scientific theory ever proposed. Not surprisingly, Darwin's health became something of an obsession for the great biologist and he consulted numerous doctors in search of a cure. His letters - published online by the Darwin Correspondence Project - show that the remedies he tried bear a surprising resemblance to some modern dietary fads. In 1865, his health was so poor that for six... [read full story]