Re:Most U.S. Dairy Cows Are Descended From Just Two Bulls
by DiogenesKynikos on Friday October 18, 2019 @09:05AM
(#21291017)
There are different degrees of lactose tolerance, and a good fraction of the world's population is at least somewhat tolerant. Then there are regions of the world where almost all people are completely tolerant, like northern Europe.
There are also lots of dairy products that contain little lactose, from lactose-free milk to cheese. And of course, it's pretty simple to just take lactase pills.
From a completely subjective perspective, dairy products are some of the tastiest foods, and they're objectively a huge part of food culture in Europe. I don't foresee them going away.
Re:Most U.S. Dairy Cows Are Descended From Just Two Bulls
by vfc1 on Friday October 18, 2019 @10:51AM
(#21291866)
I don't see them going away either, but I think that it's important that the public realizes that they are completely optional for good health.
But there is this perception that they are absolutely essential due to decades of dairy industry advertising and lobbying, and it's simply not true.
Re:Most U.S. Dairy Cows Are Descended From Just Two Bulls
by DiogenesKynikos on Friday October 18, 2019 @01:05PM
(#21293082)
They're not absolutely essential, but they are very nutritious, which is why the lactose tolerance gene has been so heavily selected for.
The ones that can digest it, do it usually less well than they think they do. Mild chronic diarrhea is prevalent is western countries, and a degree of dairy intolerance could very well be one of the factors.
It gets worse for most people with age, as elderly people can become lactose intolerant, fully or only slightly. This does not happen overnight, its a progressive thing, many people gradually stop being able to properly digest dairy.