Why Are Men Generally Taller Than Women? Scientists Reveal Shocking Genetic Truth

Wherever you go, men are usually taller than women, and behind this lies a crucial genetic code. A team from the Geisinger Health Sciences Institute in Pennsylvania conducted an in-depth analysis of three large health databases and studied 1,225 adults with abnormal chromosome combinations, uncovering the secrets of height differences.

The core lies in the SHOX gene on the X and Y chromosomes—a key factor regulating height. Unlike the partially 'silent' X chromosome in women, the SHOX gene on the Y chromosome is more active, contributing an average of 3.1 centimeters to height.

The research indicates that this difference in gene expression accounts for approximately 22.6% of the average height difference between men and women, with this difference ranging from 12.85 to 13.72 centimeters.

Height is influenced not only by genetics but also by hormones such as testosterone. This study provides a new perspective on understanding the physiological differences between men and women and related diseases (such as the more prevalent Alzheimer's disease in women).

The study emphasizes the distinction between hormonal influences and genetic variations, which may reveal more about the mechanisms of gender differences in autoimmune, cardiovascular, and neuropsychiatric diseases.

This groundbreaking finding has been published in PNAS, opening a new door for exploring the differences between men and women.