Researchers from Radboud University Medical Centre and KCMC University studied 77 healthy Tanzanian men to explore how diet affects the immune system. The study found that switching to traditional African meals, such as ugali, taro, and fermented foods, significantly reduced inflammation markers and boosted immune function.
Participants who typically ate these local dishes were placed on a typical Western diet for two weeks, while urban dwellers adopted traditional foods during the same period. A third group consumed “mbege,” a fermented banana drink, and a control group maintained their usual diet.
By the end of the study, those on the Western-style diet showed increased inflammatory proteins and weakened immune responses. In contrast, those who ate traditional foods displayed a measurable drop in inflammation, which persisted even four weeks later.
The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Quirijn de Mast, highlights the growing health threat in Sub-Saharan Africa, where non-communicable diseases like heart disease and cancer are rising sharply. He emphasizes the need for region-specific dietary guidelines that build on traditional knowledge.
African foods rich in antioxidants can help neutralize oxidative stress and reduce inflammation triggers. The researchers hope this study will spark further investigation into the protective power of indigenous diets starting right at home, providing a potential solution to the growing health crisis in Africa.
Source: https://www.tv47.digital/how-african-diets-outsmart-western-medicine-used-for-treating-inflammation-96500