Tag: European genetics

While globally around two-thirds of adults are lactose intolerant, the percentage of Europeans who can drink milk varies dramatically across the continent due to a relatively recent genetic mutation. This difference creates a striking North-South divide in adult milk-drinking habits.

While an estimated 65% of the world's population is lactose intolerant, the majority of people of European descent possess a genetic adaptation that allows them to digest milk as adults. This phenomenon raises the question: Can Europeans digest milk, and what is the evolutionary story behind this unique trait?

While roughly 65% of the world's adult population has a reduced ability to digest lactose, many Europeans, particularly those of northern European descent, do not face this issue. The answer to why do Europeans not have lactose intolerance lies in a rapid, relatively recent genetic mutation driven by natural selection.

According to scientific research, while a majority of the global adult population is lactose intolerant, most people of European descent possess a genetic trait known as lactase persistence, which allows them to drink milk without digestive issues. This remarkable ability evolved over thousands of years and is a direct result of historical dietary practices and population shifts. However, this ability is not uniform across the continent, with significant regional variations existing.

Across Europe, lactose intolerance prevalence varies dramatically, ranging from as little as 3-5% in some northern regions to over 70% in parts of the south. The question of which Europeans are lactose intolerant has a surprising answer rooted in a complex history of genetic evolution and selective pressures.