Dr Niraj Rai, a DNA expert, recently said that Punjabis are built muscular, which is attributed to a gene responsible for making them ‘lactose tolerant’. “This means you can drink more milk. In India, the North Indians comparatively have a higher capacity to digest milk,” Dr Rai told Ranveer Allahabadia in his YouTube podcast.
Dr Haricharan G, senior consultant physician, HoD, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospitals, Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad said, “Yes, Punjabis, like many other groups from South Asia, exhibit a higher prevalence of lactose tolerance, and this can be linked to genetic factors.”
Lactose tolerance is influenced by the lactase enzyme, which helps digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. However, Dr Harikishan, HOD, Department of Medicine, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, mentioned that lactose tolerance is not equally distributed across populations globally, with varying degrees of tolerance based on historical diets and genetic adaptations.
According to Dr Haricharan, while lactase production typically declines after childhood in many populations, specific genetic variants allow continued production of this enzyme into adulthood. “In the case of Punjabis, they exhibit a higher prevalence of the lactase persistence gene, which allows individuals to continue digesting lactose into adulthood,” said Dr Harikishan.
Genetics have evolved to digest lactose (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
“Studies show that populations with a long history of dairy consumption, such as Punjabis, have a higher lactase persistence rate due to an evolutionary adaptation. Historically, Punjabis have consumed dairy products like milk, yogurt, and paneer as dietary staples, which may have led to natural selection favouring individuals with lactose tolerance,” elucidated Dr Haricharan.
The second factor contributing to the observed physical traits, such as height and strength among Punjabis, is genetic selection over time. According to Dr Harikishan, historical fluctuations in population, including periods of population growth and decline, likely led to natural selection, where the surviving population evolved more vital genetic traits. “This selective pressure may have contributed to the taller, stronger physique commonly seen in Punjabis today,” said Dr Harikishan.
As populations faced environmental challenges, “those with advantageous physical traits, such as resilience, stature, and lactose tolerance, were more likely to survive and reproduce”, Dr Harikishan explained.
However, it’s important to note that lactose tolerance can still vary within any population, including among Punjabis. “Although genetic predisposition plays a significant role, lifestyle factors and dietary habits also influence how well individuals tolerate lactose. From a medical perspective, anyone experiencing lactose intolerance symptoms should consult a doctor for dietary guidance, as it varies from person to person,” said Dr Haricharan.
*DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.*
