Andean Potato Farming's Genetic Impact on Human DNA Revealed
A recent study has uncovered a significant genetic adaptation in the Indigenous Andean populations linked to the domestication of potatoes around 10,000 years ago. This adaptation involves the AMY1 gene, which is responsible for the production of salivary amylase, an enzyme that begins the digestion of starch in the mouth. The study found that Andean populations have a higher number of AMY1 gene copies compared to the global average, which enhances their ability to digest starchy foods like potatoes. This genetic change is attributed to natural selection, favoring individuals with more AMY1 copies, thus providing them with a survival advantage in a diet heavily reliant on potatoes. 
