>>11585204> because farmers developped arthritisHeight prior to logistics and refrigeration was due mainly to diversity in diet providing vitamins and essential amino acids.
Farmers, while having a steadier source of calories, were often malnourished from the vitamin side.
Even as late as World War I, rural America was severely malnourished. When the draft called up young men, many were turned away for being too sickly.
When World War II and the ability to isolate vitamins rolled around, the US government quietly ordered all bread manufacturers to fortify their bread with vitamins and minerals. This still happens today, btw.
> Inb4 tl:drIt was the Jews.
