Some populations have the biocultural capacity to drink large amounts of alcohol with few or no problems. Why might this be so?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Populations that have a biocultural capacity to drink large amounts of alcohol likely evolved this trait due to the lack of access to clean potable water in their ancestral environments. The ability to metabolize fermented drinks would have increased fitness and therefore become more common in those populations. This is known as the "alcohol tolerance hypothesis." It is important to note that genetics likely also play a role in alcohol metabolism, but the cultural and environmental factors may be more significant.

Some Populations Have the Biocultural Capacity to Drink Large Amounts