15 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Ask Anything Wednesday - Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Medicine, Psychology
As a general rule, all adult mammals (including humans) are lactose intolerant. In fact, I'm pretty sure most adult humans on the planet are still lactose intolerant.
I've read that lactose tolerance (aka lactase persistance) is one of the strongest positive selective pressures that have ever evolved in humans. It turned essentially worthless grass and scrub brush into a highly nutritious food.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactase_persistence
Comment by hypergol at 12/03/2025 at 17:33 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
fwiw, PL came after extensive cheese and milk adoption in eurasia. you've kinda got the causal arrows turned around--PL ameliorated the side effects of lactose consumption.