Researchers from Simon Fraser University published a study in the journal PNAS Nexus analyzing ancient diets in Europe. The study utilized isotopic data from 12,281 human skeletons.

These human remains were collected from 393 archaeological sites and dated back over 10,000 years. The study's analysis indicated that men were more frequently among individuals with the highest dietary intake, while women were more frequently among individuals with the lowest dietary intake.

Dietary differences between sexes were observed, but these were relatively minor during early Neolithic farming societies. Dietary inequality increased during the Bronze Age and reached its highest level during Classical Antiquity.

Nitrogen isotope values in human remains provided an indication of historical consumption of animal protein, and carbon isotope values provided an indication of plant-based food consumption. The researchers applied the interdecile ratio economic metric to measure dietary inequality within populations. Biological differences in daily caloric requirements may partially account for historical diet variations between sexes. Michael Richards, an archaeology professor, stated, "We think these differences were largely culturally motivated." Richards said, "This was especially pronounced in the medieval period, where clear dietary differences emerge between upper and lower classes of society."

Rozenn Colleter, a postdoctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University, co-authored the research. The study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research and Géosciences Environment Toulouse. A subset of samples was analyzed by researchers at an isotope laboratory located within a university archaeological department.