Chinese Nutrition Society

Lactose intolerance is actually the human norm – but racism, the US government and business interests have made it into a condition

<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/755496/original/file-20260821-50-9jl7i.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.1&rect=0%2C0%2C2121%2C1414&q=45&auto=format&w=1050&h=700&fit=crop" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The majority of the world is unable to process the lactose in milk without uncomfortable symptoms</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/lactose-intolerance-allergy-milk-bottle-splatter-royalty-free-image/2162416983">Olga Miltsova/iStock via Getty Images Plus</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Lactose intolerance makes drinking milk or eating ice cream a literal pain. For some people, eating a dairy treat can lead to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232">bloating, nausea and diarrhea</a>. You might’ve experienced its effects yourself. If so, you may think of lactose intolerance as a defect rather than the norm. </p> <p>But