Wes Phillips

On Culture

Wes Phillips  |  Feb 28, 2007

Recent genetic analyses reveal that early man could not digest milk products. However, shortly after the development of agriculture, large populations in Europe and Africa developed the ability to produce lactase as adults—and milk, cheese, and yogurt became key components of their diet.

Forget that old chicken/egg conundrum, which came first dairy farming or adult lactase production?

COMMENTS
Frank Krausz's picture
Submitted by Frank Krausz (not verified) on February 28, 2007 - 1:58pm

People who are lactose-intolerant can still consume dairy, albeit in small amounts and with some stomach distress -- which, compared to starving or dying of vitamin-D deficiency, might be something you'd do occasionally, even though you'd primarily keep the cattle for meat (or if you're like the Maasai, blood.) But the lactose-tolerant souls who could consume dairy on a regular basis would have an edge.

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