Which benefit did the development of nixtamalization provide to early Mesoamerican maize cultivation given conditions with alkaline components?

💡 Explanation

When maize is nixtamalized, alkaline solutions alter the grain, hydrolyzing proteins and releasing niacin, improving nutrient bioavailability because the process breaks down indigestible components. Therefore increased nutrient absorption results, rather than reducing irrigation, fungal resistance, or simplified harvesting which require specific plant biology modifications.

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