Famine and disease may have driven ancient Europeans’ lactose tolerance

Widespread milk consumption might not have been the force behind an ability to digest dairy

a child holding a glass of milk grimaces

Some people like drinking milk more than others, but it helps to be lactose tolerant. This genetic trait spread among ancient Europeans not because they drank a lot of milk but as a result of recurring famines and disease outbreaks, a new study suggests.

Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash

Ancient Europeans may have evolved an ability to digest milk thanks to periodic famines and disease outbreaks.