eli5 : Why can’t we (humans) eat wood? It contains glucose, and termites can eat it for example! (Even if raw wood would be pretty hard to chew, we could mix it down into some kind of paste or powder, so idk)

Question

eli5 : Why can’t we (humans) eat wood? It contains glucose, and termites can eat it for example! (Even if raw wood would be pretty hard to chew, we could mix it down into some kind of paste or powder, so idk)

In: Biology

Answer 1

Cellulose is a not-uncommon food additive. It’s why Taco Bell meat wasn’t 100% meat! It’s a good gelling agent, and it can emulsify fat somewhat, or at least absorb it.

But we can’t really digest it, it’s just more of a bulking agent.