Tag: Ethnic groups

Modern scientific consensus rejects the concept of a single 'Mediterranean race' in a biological sense, instead recognizing the immense genetic and ethnic diversity that has evolved in the region for millennia. This makes defining what ethnicity is Mediterranean impossible, as it refers to a geographic area and its varied, multi-ethnic population.

Genetically speaking, approximately 65% of the human population experiences a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, but certain ethnic groups demonstrate a much higher rate of lactose tolerance. This ability, known as lactase persistence, is most prevalent among populations of Northern European descent due to specific genetic adaptations linked to a history of dairy farming.