Lactase persistence
Do you know what lactose is? Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk. Your body needs a special tool called lactase to break down lactose so your body can use it for fuel. Without lactase, the lactose just sits in your stomach and causes problems like cramps, bloating, and gas.
Now, most people lose lactase after they finish drinking their mother's milk, so they can't digest lactose anymore. But some people are able to keep making lactase in their bodies even when they're grown up. That's called lactase persistence.
Scientists think that lactase persistence comes from a special gene that some people have. If you have that gene, your body keeps making lactase, so you can digest lactose all your life.
And why is this important? Because in some parts of the world, people who can digest lactose have an advantage. They can drink milk and eat dairy products like cheese and butter, and get extra nutrients that they may not be able to get from other foods. So, some people think that lactase persistence helped our ancestors to survive and thrive in places where food was scarce.
So, that's the story of lactase persistence - a special tool that some people have that helps them digest lactose and get extra nutrients from milk and dairy products.
Now, most people lose lactase after they finish drinking their mother's milk, so they can't digest lactose anymore. But some people are able to keep making lactase in their bodies even when they're grown up. That's called lactase persistence.
Scientists think that lactase persistence comes from a special gene that some people have. If you have that gene, your body keeps making lactase, so you can digest lactose all your life.
And why is this important? Because in some parts of the world, people who can digest lactose have an advantage. They can drink milk and eat dairy products like cheese and butter, and get extra nutrients that they may not be able to get from other foods. So, some people think that lactase persistence helped our ancestors to survive and thrive in places where food was scarce.
So, that's the story of lactase persistence - a special tool that some people have that helps them digest lactose and get extra nutrients from milk and dairy products.