Andean Potatoes Linked to Rapid Evolution of Starch-Digesting Genes

Genome analysis of 3,723 people from 85 populations shows Quechua Peruvians have a median of 10 AMY1 copies (vs. global median 7), boosting salivary amylase and starch digestion. Dating suggests the increase began about 10,000 years ago, around potato domestication in the Andes, giving a small generational advantage and illustrating rapid dietary-driven human evolution; Maya-descended groups lacking long potato farming do not show the same adaptation.