In the News, Spring 2025: African Heritage-Style Diet Shows Decreased Inflammation

New research from Tanzania highlights the impact of diet on immunity and metabolism. Seventy-seven healthy men were divided into four groups: Twenty-three who habitually ate a Kilimanjaro heritage-style diet switched to a Western diet for two weeks, while 22 who typically consumed a Western diet switched to the African diet. Twenty-two men were given mbege, a traditional fermented banana drink, in addition to their customary Western diet, and 10 kept their regular diets.

The group changing to the Western diet showed an increase in inflammatory proteins in their blood and a decrease in their immune response to pathogens. Those who either switched to the African diet or consumed the fermented drink experienced anti-inflammatory effects, some lasting as long as four weeks after the intervention. Researcher Quirijn de Mast observed, “Inflammation is at the root of many chronic conditions, which makes this study highly relevant for Western countries as well.”

The Western diet used included foods such as white bread, sausages, margarine, French fries, and jams. The Kilimanjaro heritage-style diet consisted of a wide range of vegetables, including okra, fermented taro, greens, and kidney beans, as well as fruits, whole grains, and other fermented foods.

SOURCES:

Western diet causes inflammation, traditional African food protects. Radboud University Medical Center, April 3, 2025. radboudumc.nl/en/news-items/2025/western-diet-causes-inflammation,-traditional-african-food-protects.

Temba GS, Pecht T, Kullaya VI, et al. Immune and metabolic effects of African heritage diets versus Western diets in men: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Medicine. 2025; 31:1698-1711. doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03602-0.