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Comment by sedachv | Hacker News Reader

Why do you think the genetic mutation for lactose tolerance is so geographically specific to Northern Europe? It is obviously an adaptation for when milk was the only available source of nutrition to those populations during times of famine. And the selection pressure for this is not ancient history - my grandparents experienced exactly that scenario due to food shortages during WWII. I don't know why you would advocate de-lactosed milk, lactase supplements, or "sneaking a little bit in" for the vast majority of people who are lactose intolerant, unless you had some agenda of pushing dairy on people who do not particularly want it and have no cultural traditions of consuming it. There is no reason for lactose tolerant people to eat dairy on a regular basis because it contributes to heart disease. Advocating it for those who are lactose intolerant is just insane.

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>>I don't know why you would advocate de-lactosed milk, lactase supplements, or "sneaking a little bit in"

Are you definitely replying to the correct comment? I'm not advocating anything. I'm purely stating a fact that just because 68% of humanity is lactose intolerant doesn't mean 68% of humanity does not consume milk. I just said lactose free milk exists(because it does), lactose-digestion enzyme pills exist(because they do) and people with lactose intolerance can usually eat a little without suffering any bad effects(because most people can). Is stating facts propaganda now?

>> unless you had some agenda of pushing dairy

Yes you're absolutely right, my check from big milk industry will surely arrive any day now. You looked right through me.

You don't need paid sponsorships to push your colonialist attitudes on other people.

Stating simple facts that anyone can google in 5 seconds is colonialist? Are you for real?

Or maybe....you're the one with some kind of agenda here? Because I can't believe anyone would read into my comments as hard as you do. Or I don't know, do you take those simple facts as some kind of personal attack?

The lactose intolerant people I knew all do drink de-lactozed milk or non-cow milk. They also eat it with cereals. Practically, somewhat lactose intolerant people eat food with milk inside (whether in sauce or cheese) and avoid only quantities that cause them troubles.

There is really no reason to get offended over that reality. I don't really know why those people consume milk and I was never rude enough to ask. It is their diet. But, they in fact eat it even in situations where they don't have to and go out of their way to get sorts of milk they can consume.

> I don't really know why those people consume milk and I was never rude enough to ask.

Can you take any guesses as to why? Do you think it might have anything to do with the colonialist attitude of "of course, everybody drinks milk!" displayed in the parent comment? Are your acquaintances in the US? Do you think it has anything to do with the $500 million spent over 20 years on "Got Milk?" propaganda?

"colonialist attitude of "of course, everybody drinks milk!" displayed in the parent comment? "

You know that simply wanting something to be true doesn't make it so, right?

Here* is a link to a quantitative assessment of milk consumption around the world.

There is even a handy map.

Interestingly, they note that milk consumption is higher amongst older people. Possibly due to the crazy amount of milk propaganda historically.

I know this isn't directly related to your comment, but it was getting heated so I wanted to derail that.

* https://milkgenomics.org/article/milk-consumption-around-the...

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