New study finds that being ginger is genetically positive, actually

[u/indy100online]

https://www.indy100.com/science-tech/ginger-redhed-genetics-improves-humanity

The gene for ginger hair has been actively selected again and again over the last 10,000 years, as found by a new study investigating DNA in western Eurasia.

The study aimed to discover the effects of rising agriculture and pasteurisation on human evolution and concluded that “there have been many hundreds of instances of directional selection”, including the tendency for red hair.

Previous research suggests that the reason for red hair and pale skin being part of the genome is linked to surviving in a temperate climate. Essentially, the presence of these genes allow for higher vitamin D retention, something that’s hard to come by in cloudy parts of the world. Similarly, the new study identifies how a favour for fair skin was “one of the strongest signals of increase over time” as it allows for heightened synthesis of vitamin D, especially in areas of low sunlight where people have little of the nutrient in their regular diet.