Final answer:
The assertion that lactose absorption in Northern Europe is not due to dairy culture is false. Genetic mutations for lactase persistence provided evolutionary advantages which led to the strong dairy culture in Northern Europe, unlike in regions where lactose intolerance is more prevalent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that lactose absorption is also common in Northern Europe, not because of dairy culture, is False. The ability to digest lactose into adulthood is unusual from an evolutionary perspective as most adult mammals, including humans in many parts of the world, naturally stop producing the enzyme lactase, necessary for the digestion of lactose, after weaning. However, in Northern Europe, a genetic mutation that resulted in continued lactase production gave those individuals an evolutionary advantage, possibly due to the nutrient-rich nature of milk and the correlation with vitamin D absorption in regions with less sunlight. This lactase persistence led to a high tolerance for lactose among people in this region and is linked historically to the development of a dairy agriculture culture in Europe. Lactose intolerance is the condition characterized by the inability to digest lactose due to a deficiency in lactase. This condition is more common among populations outside of Northern Europe and among those of Asian descent. Lactose intolerance results in symptoms like bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea when dairy products are consumed.