Ever wonder why most individuals use their right hand? According to recent research, it could be an evolutionary adaption for fighting.
The location of the heart meant that while those who were left-handed may have had an edge in combat, they were also more likely to suffer a fatal injury.
The left side of the chest is thought to be particularly vulnerable to a deadly hit during fight since the heart is located in the left hemithorax, according to research from Chester University in the UK and Lund University in Sweden.
Depending on which hand is holding the weapon, the chest is revealed differently during combat.
Left-handed grips cause the left side of the chest to turn towards the adversary, exposing the heart.
A right-handed hold, on the other hand, spins the heart away from the adversary and lessens the likelihood of a deadly hit.
Despite the fact that lefties may be superior warriors, the number of left-handed people may have been fewer due to their disadvantage in battle.
The study suggests that early ancestors who preferred using their right forelimb in combat had a lower risk of a mortal wound, giving them a fighting advantage and leading to a greater frequency of right-handedness.
While this is still a hypothesis based on speculation, it sheds new light on the longstanding mystery of why most people are right-handed.
The study provides an intriguing insight into the role of combat in shaping human evolution and raises further questions about the nature of human asymmetry.