Primatological models for human nutrition: Lessons from the feeding ecology of howler monkeys

In a global scenario marked by the loss of dietary diversity and the rise of metabolic diseases, there is an urgent need to reconsider the biological and evolutionary foundations of human nutrition. Nutritional anthropology incorporates comparative models with non-human primates to understand how dietary patterns are regulated in diverse environmental contexts. From this perspective, we propose that primates such as howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) may serve as relevant models for understanding strategies of nutritional resilience in humans. Through an analysis of feeding ecology, dietary nutrient composition, secondary compound intake, and physiological adaptations, we argue that the trophic flexibility of howler monkeys reflects adaptive principles shared with humans, including protein leverage, prioritization of functional resources, and resilience in nutritionally constrained environments. This comparative approach seeks to enrich our understanding of dietary and nutritional transitions in humans, particularly in rural communities or those at risk of dietary homogenization, as recently documented in studies on the traditional Mexican diet. Finally, we advocate for a stronger integration of primatology, nutritional ecology, and nutritional anthropology to develop interdisciplinary frameworks that can inform and guide food policy development.