The Claim
In ancient western Eurasian populations, individuals carrying the lactase persistence allele were on average 0.24 standard deviations taller than individuals without this allele, and this association is not present in modern populations.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In ancient western Eurasian populations, people with a specific genetic variant for digesting milk were, on average, taller than those without it; this height difference is not seen in modern populations.
See the scientific wording
In ancient western Eurasian populations, individuals carrying the lactase persistence allele were on average 0.24 standard deviations taller than those without it, suggesting a historical association between this genetic variant and increased stature that is not observed in modern populations.
People who can digest milk as adults absorb more calories and nutrients like calcium from dairy, which allows their bones to grow longer during childhood, making them taller as adults.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Effects of ancestry, agriculture, and lactase persistence on the stature of prehistoric Europeans
Scientists found that ancient people who could digest milk as adults were taller than those who couldn’t — a link that doesn’t exist today. This shows how our bodies changed over time with diet and genetics.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.