I actually do have some background history on this topic. A friend of my sisters went to India back in 1980 with the Save the Children initiative. They brought thousands and thousands of pounds of powdered milk as their grand plan to save all these starving kids who lived in literal food deserts. Well, guess what happened. Lot's of those starving kids died before they figured out their plan was fucked. So ya, it's regional for the most part. But, I can guarantee many North American college students can live off an 80% double cheese pizza and beer diet, present company included.... at least for a few years.. Reduced ability?? Sure, our ability to digest just about everything decreases with age. Same's true with our pets. Ever have a really old dog or cat that you had to put on a really expensive special "kidney diet" regiment because they were puking up everything else you tried to feed them? Same thing happens to people. Our organs start shutting down, very gradually. Happens faster in alcoholics..