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

Lactose intolerance won’t kill you, while food insecurity will. Consuming animal milk is simply a great way to convert non-edible material (grasses, etc) into something that will help you, your family, and your community not starve.