If the lactose intolerance is common for the vast majority of people of non-European descent, then why is milk drinking so common in certain African and Asian cultures?

Question

A lot of pasotoralkst and hisforically pastoralist peoples like the Maasai, Mongolians, Tibetans have a prominent milk drinking culture that existed before European influence. How’d groups like these get by for so long if lactose intolerance is so universal.

In: 23

Answer 1

Asians and Africans are not monoliths. Not every African or Asian ethnic group has a “vast majority” incidence of lactose intolerance.

Not all lactose intolerant people will have the same symptoms, either. It’s not fatal, and frankly, a lot of people don’t even know they’re lactose intolerant. People are generally willing to put up with minor discomfort to avoid starving (or even to avoid missing out on food they like).

Not all dairy products will affect lactose intolerance the same way. Fermented milk and yogurt, for example.