"Much milk was drunk, and some was turned into cheeses, which were often named after the towns where they were traded, such as Gouda and Edam. As dairy output grew, its consumption also had a curious side effect: it made the Netherlands a nation of giants.

"Studies show that in the mid-1800s, the average Dutchman was about 5ft 4in tall; shorter than most Europeans and Americans.

"Over the next 150 years, however, as dairy consumption rose, the Dutch soared past everyone else."

It's not just a matter of nutrition, however. A 2014 study found that natural selection has played a part too. For example, the most fertile Dutch men were found to be seven centimetres above the average height.

"Natural selection in addition to good environmental conditions may help explain why the Dutch are so tall," the study concluded. "Height is very heritable – taller parents tend to have somewhat taller children than shorter parents. Because taller individuals would have more offspring in the next generation who would be taller, the average height in that generation would a bit taller on average than the preceding generation, if all else is equal."

There's also cultural preferences to consider. "There is much variation in what men and women want," said the author of the study. "When it comes to choosing a mate, height tends to have (only) a small effect, which is not very surprising given the many other, more important, traits people value in their mate."