is it true black people can't drink milk?

Answer 1

Lactose intolerance is relatively common among Africans and those descended from some African groups, or races. It is even more common among some Asians. But it is far from universal; it's just something doctors and nutritiionists have to look out for. See the link below.

Why would anyone say the truth is racist when this is taught in medical school?

One might say The Bell Curve is racist and that such studies should never be undertaken. But to say that something like sickle cell anemia or lactose intolerance is racist is not only stuipid but dangerous. Something I would liken to those who try to cover up the fact that circumcision impedes transfer of HIV, and that in the context of societies that are promiscuous, it is good to promote circumcision. Yet there are those who would block studies of extramarital affairs, deny access to condoms, and reject circumcision as beneficial. THAT is racism, thank you very much.

Answer 2

Lactose intolerance (most commonly seen in adults) tends to be somewhat more common in blacks (and in Asian-origin peoples) than in whites.

I wouldn't say "CAN'T drink milk"---but "usually go easy on milk consumption" would be a better description.

IIRC (but do NOT quote this as gospel, because I'm recalling from an anthropology class over 20 years ago): if you don't drink milk, you're going to "lose" the ability to produce the lactase necessary to digest it effectively. If you're living in a culture that's NOT a major dairy producer, where you've got lots of liquid milk, you're not going to drink it after weaning and keep producing the lactase you need.

Hey, Wikipedia's got a great article on first skim---here's a fast C&P; go read the rest---"lactose intolerance"


"Most adults in the world are lactose-intolerant: the majority of humans stop producing significant amounts of lactase sometime between the ages of two and five. A relatively recent genetic change caused some populations, including many northern Europeans, to continue producing lactase into adulthood; these lactose-tolerant populations are in the minority. Lactose intolerance is an autosomal recessive trait, while lactase-persistence is the dominant allele." (Copied from Wikipedia, "lactose intolerance". Good article.)

(waves to Andy---you must have posted abt same time---think hollering is a kneejerk reaction, or what? I thought some of my colleagues were going to have a "Politically Correct" stroke when the nursing journals were talking about "culturally competent" medication administration....but those few small genetic variances can make a heck of a nasty difference on some drug doses....)

Answer 3

No, not at all. I myself have plenty of black friends who love to drink milk. Its actualy their favortie beverage. There skin colors dosn't effect what they can eat or drink.

Answer 4

Nonsense - What myth list are you reading. Genetically, blacks and whites are about 95% identical.

Answer 5

If it is then white people can't eat chocolate

Answer 6

Is it true that you are a d u m b a s s ? Got Brains??

Answer 7

uhhh....what? you're kidding I hope.

Answer 8

gee..what gives you that idea...?

Answer 9

dude..thats not true, you racist punk

Answer 10

THAT IS NOT TRUE ARE U RAISICT