Tag: East asian health

According to one study, over 90% of adults in some East Asian communities may be lactose intolerant, yet China has become a global leader in dairy consumption, confounding this biological predisposition. So, can the Chinese drink milk? The answer is a complex story of genetics, history, and a modern dietary revolution.

According to several studies, a significant majority of the adult Korean population, with estimates exceeding 70%, is lactose intolerant. This high prevalence is not a modern phenomenon but is linked to the historical and cultural development of a largely dairy-free traditional Korean diet. Despite this, dairy consumption has risen, leading to a need for managing the symptoms of lactose intolerance.