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Explore the fascinating timelines of human evolution from microbes to the present day, alongside the surprising speed at which harmful germs can infest our food.
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00:00Wow, it's lunchtime. You choose a delicious-looking piece of chicken, but oh no, it ends up on the floor
00:06instead of your mouth.
00:08You quickly pick it up and eat it anyway. Because there is the five-second rule, you know.
00:13The bad bacteria simply won't have enough time to hop on your food off the floor if you're fat enough.
00:19But is it real, or is it just an urban legend?
00:23Some folks like to credit the famous Genghis Khan, the founder and ruler of the Mongol Empire, for the whole
00:29thing.
00:30According to the tale, if food fell on the floor at banquets, it was fair game as long as Khan
00:36said so.
00:36His food was supposedly so special that it was good for anyone, no matter where it landed.
00:42Back in the day, people didn't know much about those esky microorganisms and how they could make a sit.
00:48So, eating dropped food wasn't really considered taboo.
00:52They figured if they wiped off the visible dirt, it was good to go.
00:56And that's how the Khan rule came to be.
00:58Hey, maybe they just had outstanding immune systems.
01:02Meanwhile, let's fast forward to the queen of culinary TV herself, Julia Child.
01:08As she whipped up mouth-watering meals on her show, The French Chef, some viewers claimed they saw her drop
01:14lamb, chicken, or even a turkey on the floor.
01:17But in reality, it was a potato pancake that landed on the stovetop, not the floor.
01:23In the spirit of having some fun in the kitchen, Julia famously said,
01:28But you can always pick it up, and if you are alone in the kitchen, who is going to see?
01:33And just like that, the misremembered story became part of popular culture.
01:38In real life, when your food hits the floor, it's like a bacteria magnet.
01:43That chicken piece is bound to pick up some unwanted microbial hitchhikers.
01:48You just can't give your fallen lunch a quick sanitizing session like you would with your hands.
01:53As for the five-second rule, it's not all so simple.
01:57Some foods may have a better chance of survival after taking a tumble.
02:01Researchers from Rutgers University discovered that moisture, surface type, and contact time all play a role in the degree of
02:09cross-contamination.
02:10Foods with high moisture levels, like juicy watermelon, are the biggest culprits for contamination.
02:16That means they attract more bacteria than any other food tested.
02:21And not all environments and surfaces are created equal.
02:24Carpet had a low transfer rate in the experiment.
02:27Stainless steel and wood had higher transfer rates.
02:31In a different study, researchers swabbed the floors around the University of Illinois in the lab, hall, dormitory, and cafeteria
02:39to see how many organisms they could find.
02:42They were surprised to see very few microorganisms.
02:46It was probably because most malicious bacteria, like salmonella, listeria, or E. coli, can't survive without moisture, and the floors
02:54were all dry.
02:56But even on dry, sterile surfaces, germs relocated onto cookies and gummy bears in less than five seconds.
03:03For some foods, it takes less than one second for the transfer to begin.
03:07So, the five-second rule doesn't really rule, after all.
03:11It's more of an urban legend and a psychological trick your mind plays on you.
03:16Experimental psychologists explain that when it comes to decision-making, we humans don't always go through a rigorous risk-benefit
03:24analysis.
03:25Nah, we rely on our brain's trusty sidekicks, called horroristics.
03:29These little shortcuts help us make lightning-fast decisions based on whatever info we've got at hand.
03:35Sometimes, these shortcuts can lead us in the wrong direction, though, like in the case of germs.
03:41Those are invisible little troublemakers, and food is real and valuable.
03:45So, when you drop a precious piece of food on the floor, say, a yellow peanut M&M, your brain
03:51goes like,
03:52Hey, I can't see any germs, so it must be safe to snatch it up.
03:57Not every floor snack will make you sick, but it also depends on you.
04:02Our immune systems, especially in the very young and the very old, can be a bit more fragile and vulnerable.
04:08So, it's crucial not to pass on this questionable habit to the little ones.
04:13Remember, they're always watching!
04:15Another popular food-related myth is that carbs are always bad for you.
04:21In reality, some carbs are pretty important because they're converted into fuel for our bodies.
04:26You can find those complex carbs, as they're called, in plant-based foods.
04:31They're the ones that keep our digestive system happy and our metabolism in check.
04:36The real villains are the simple carbs.
04:39Manufacturers add them to processed foods, like starches and sugars.
04:43When we gobble them up, they quickly turn into blood sugar, causing all sorts of havoc.
04:49Think sudden spikes, feeling hungry again in no time, and some more serious consequences for your health.
04:55The good carbs come packed with nutritional goodies, like fiber and bran,
04:59which makes them digest slower and release glucose gradually.
05:03To make smarter carb choices, try going for whole-grain bread alternatives and swap soda for sparkling water.
05:10You can also try the plate method.
05:13Fill half your plate with fiber-rich, starch-free veggies.
05:16Reserve a quarter for starchy delights, like potatoes or a fruity treat.
05:21And the last quarter is for proteins.
05:23Fish, poultry, beans, nuts, eggs, and lentils should become your new dietary besties.
05:30Now, frozen or canned fruits and veggies aren't useless like the rumor has it.
05:34Studies have shown that frozen, dried, juiced, or canned plant-based foods can be just as nutritious as their fresh
05:42counterparts.
05:43You just need to keep an eye out for any sneaky added ingredients like sugars, saturated fats, or sodium.
05:50High temperature during the canning process can cause some vitamins, like C and B, to take a hit.
05:56But those vitamins can be a bit sensitive to heat and air in general, so they might leave even during
06:02regular cooking and storage at home.
06:04Some canned foods, like tomatoes and corn, actually release more antioxidants when they're heated up.
06:12Now, have you ever tried adding celery to your diet just because eating it is supposed to burn more calories
06:18than you take in?
06:20Experts say that negative-calorie foods are nothing more than a fantastical idea.
06:25Sure, the process of munching and digesting celery burns a few calories, but not a significant amount.
06:31There may be around 10 calories in a hefty celery stick, but the body only uses one-fifth of that
06:38to process it, so it's still a calorie-plus situation.
06:41Plus, you'll unlikely survive just on celery, and it's often a gateway to more yummy foods like cream cheese or
06:49peanut butter.
06:50Hey, tell me about it.
06:51Meanwhile, high-fiber, water-dense fruits and veggies, like celery, can indeed have value as weight-loss allies.
06:58They fill up your stomach and increase satiety, preventing you from gorging on more calories later.
07:04But they won't magically burn off the calories you've already consumed.
07:09Some people claim that certain foods or beverages make your body work harder.
07:13For example, your body needs to warm up cold water to a toasty 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
07:19But there's no solid research to support the idea that cold-water drinkers burn significantly more calories.
07:26It may be a measly 5 calories if you're lucky.
07:29Caffeine, guanine, taurine, and green tea extracts have been touted for their metabolism-boosting properties.
07:36But again, we're talking about a tiny boost that could potentially result in losing around 10 pounds over a year.
07:44So, looks like the best way to keep your calories under control is to consume fewer of them than you
07:50burn through exercise, not just digestion.
07:54Carbonated water isn't any worse than its still version.
07:57When carbon dioxide and water get together, they chemically react to create a weak acid called carbonic acid.
08:04It tickles the same nerve receptors in your mouth as mustard.
08:07That's why you get that delightful and prickly sensation.
08:11Although carbonated water is a bit acidic, drinking it won't make your entire body acidic.
08:16Your kidneys and lungs step in to remove any excess carbon dioxide from your system.
08:22And it's not terrible for your tooth enamel.
08:25One study found that sparkling mineral water had only a slight impact on enamel compared to still water.
08:31It was a whopping 100 times less damaging than a sugary soft drink.
08:36So, keep your bubbly drink sugar-free, and you should be safe and healthy.
08:43Imagine that one day, poof, all the big, furry, and feathered creatures just vanish into thin air.
08:49Humans disappear as well, and now there's nothing left but microbes.
08:53What would happen to Earth?
08:54How long would it take for complex creatures to appear again?
08:57And what would they be like?
09:00Alright, welcome to the microbial world.
09:02Microbes are the tiniest building blocks of life.
09:05So small you can't even see them without a microscope.
09:08In this amazing world, there are three main groups of microbes.
09:11Bacteria, archaea, and the single-celled organisms.
09:15Bacteria are everywhere, from the air you breathe to the food you eat.
09:19Some bacteria are good buddies, helping us digest our food, and even making yogurt taste yummy.
09:26But some of them can be mischievous and cause infections.
09:31Archaea are the tough explorers of our microscopic universe.
09:34Archaea are the daredevils of microbes, and they showed us that life can survive in the craziest conditions.
09:41For example, they can thrive in super-hot springs, even in incredibly scorching temperatures.
09:47Some of them are even capable of living in volcanoes.
09:52They also feel pretty fine in the freezing cold.
09:55Certain bacteria can get busy, even in icy places like the Arctic and Antarctica.
10:01There, they help break down things like old plants and animals that got frozen in time.
10:06They work as nature's cleanup crew, turning leftovers into useful bits.
10:12Or, imagine the darkest depths of the ocean, where sunlight can't reach.
10:16And who do we meet down there?
10:18Microbes, again, who make food from all the weird chemicals in the water.
10:22And, of course, they also live inside you.
10:26You're a walking microbe party.
10:28Your gut alone is a cozy home to trillions of bacteria that help you digest food and stay healthy.
10:38And, finally, the single-celled organisms.
10:40They can be plant-like, making their own food through photosynthesis.
10:44Or, animal-like, hunting for their next tiny meal.
10:47Some single-celled organisms can even team up to form colonies that work together and build complex structures.
10:54All these microbes are the foundation of life.
10:57At first, there were nothing but microbes on Earth.
10:59They were just hanging out and enjoying the simple life.
11:02But, time kept ticking, and the more years passed, the more they evolved.
11:07They changed a little, sometimes acquiring some special abilities and passing these abilities on to their children.
11:17Generations come and go, and those changes keep adding up.
11:21Microbes became more and more complex.
11:23And, after billions of years and trillions of changes, they become something as amazing as the animals, plants, and people
11:31we see on Earth today.
11:34It was a very long and tedious process.
11:37So, let's try to repeat it now.
11:38Like, what if all living organisms on our modern Earth, except for the first microbes, would disappear?
11:46Without the hustle and bustle of life, the world would become eerily quiet.
11:51Streets that were once filled with people and animals would now be empty and peaceful.
11:56Buildings and cities would stand alone like silent monuments to the vanished world.
12:02First, we would have a huge disruption of food chains.
12:05Without plants, herbivores, and carnivores, the intricate food chains and webs that sustain life would simply collapse.
12:13Our world wouldn't be as wild and vibrant.
12:16The tiny microbes are cool, but they can't recreate the same big, bustling party that we all love.
12:24Also, remember how we mentioned that microbes often eat the leftovers of animals and other organisms?
12:30Just like when you eat cake and turn it into energy, they turn these bits into nutrients that the Earth
12:35loves.
12:37But now, without the big animals and plants, there wouldn't be as much leftover cake.
12:42The microbes would still work hard, but their evolution would be really slowed down.
12:48Now, you might think that without plants, we wouldn't have any more oxygen.
12:53But this isn't entirely true.
12:55In fact, trees produce only about 20-30% of the oxygen on Earth.
12:59So who really helps us breathe?
13:02Plankton from Spongebob.
13:04But seriously, ocean plankton, especially phytoplankton, which is responsible for around 80% of Earth's oxygen production.
13:13Phytoplankton are considered microorganisms.
13:16They're tiny, single-celled or colonial organisms that float around in the oceans, harnessing sunlight.
13:23So, if all land plants and animals disappeared, oceanic plankton would still continue to produce oxygen in the oceans through
13:31photosynthesis.
13:32They would become even more essential for maintaining a breathable atmosphere.
13:37Although now these guys would face some big challenges.
13:40You see, big animals like whales and fish usually provide nutrients to the ocean.
13:45These nutrients are plant food that phytoplankton need to grow and thrive.
13:51Without the big animals, there might be fewer of these special nutrients around.
13:56The phytoplankton might not grow as well.
13:58And since these guys act as the bottom of the ocean food chain, that could have a domino effect on
14:04the whole ocean food web.
14:07And also, with fewer plants, there's less oxygen being made.
14:10And carbon dioxide starts to stick around more.
14:14The balance of gases in the air would change a bit.
14:17And when the balance tips, it can affect the weather.
14:20The Earth's temperature and the way wind moves would change too.
14:23Plus, too much carbon dioxide can make the air feel a bit stuffy.
14:28Next, animals like moles, ants, and worms as nature's engineers.
14:34They're digging tunnels, burrows, and homes in the ground.
14:37When these animals dig and move around, they're actually helping the soil.
14:41They mix it up and create pathways for air and water to travel through.
14:46It's like they're giving the soil a good shake to keep it healthy.
14:50So, without the animal engineers, the soil might get a bit packed and tight.
14:55Water from rain wouldn't be able to seep in as easily.
14:58When they're gone, the nutrients aren't getting spread around as much.
15:01And the soil might miss its tasty treats.
15:04So, the whole ecosystem underground could become less cozy and more cramped.
15:09But the most interesting question is, what would happen to all our human artifacts?
15:15People disappeared, but their builds remained.
15:18Let's look at how this could affect the development of microbes on Earth.
15:26Our human-made things need proper care.
15:29So, if there were no more people around, all these things would be destroyed very fast.
15:34Microbes can grow on surfaces, and over time, they would start to cover buildings, streets, and structures.
15:40It might not be visible right away, but given enough time, you'd see a thin layer of microbial growth.
15:46Nature is a powerful thing.
15:50Buildings that were once shielded by human maintenance would now be exposed to the elements.
15:55Wind, rain, sun, and snow would all destroy and break down everything we've ever created.
16:01And some places on Earth have really tough weather.
16:05Super hot summers, freezing winters, or crazy storms.
16:10In these areas, buildings and cities might even get sadder faster.
16:16Microbes would contribute to this too, as some of them produce acids that can break down materials.
16:21Slowly, cracks might appear, and materials like concrete and wood might weaken.
16:28Humans overestimate their power when they call themselves kings of nature.
16:32If we disappeared in just a couple of thousand years, there would be almost no traces of human civilization left.
16:39It would be like we never even existed.
16:42But in any case, this event would offer an exciting opportunity for microbes to evolve in a completely new way.
16:49With the spotlight all to themselves, they're free to explore and adapt to their surroundings.
16:55Some places might become more challenging, while others might become easier to conquer.
17:00Microbes reproduce quickly, sometimes in just a matter of minutes.
17:04This rapid evolution could lead to a burst of new microbial species.
17:08Could microbes re-habitate the planet?
17:11Absolutely.
17:12Over time, new species of animals and plants would begin to appear.
17:16Like the butterfly effect, any small changes would have led to completely new types of life,
17:21and perhaps to new types of humans.
17:24In any case, these rapidly evolving microbes could reshape the way ecosystems work.
17:30They'd interact with each other in new ways, creating intricate relationships and cycles.
17:35The balance of life on Earth might be very different from what we know today.
17:39What would it look like?
17:41Let's leave that to your imagination.
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