A traditional African diet, rich in vegetables, fibre, and fermented foods, has been shown to reverse inflammation and protect against chronic diseases in just two weeks. In contrast, a shift to a Western-style diet can exacerbate these conditions, according to recent research from scientists at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands and KCMC University in Tanzania.
The study found that even a short-term switch to a Western diet, commonly high in processed foods like sausages, white bread, and French fries, can lead to inflammation, reduced immune response, and activation of metabolic processes associated with lifestyle diseases. This dietary transition is particularly concerning in Sub-Saharan Africa, where there has been a rapid rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, which are becoming leading causes of death in the region.
Cardiovascular diseases, for instance, are responsible for 37 percent of deaths linked to NCDs in Africa, contributing to approximately 13 percent of all deaths globally. The region also faces a rising cancer burden, accounting for 5.7 percent of global cancer cases but over 7 percent of cancer deaths. Projections suggest that cancer death rates in Africa could exceed the global average by 30 percent within the next two decades.
The research study involved 77 healthy men from both urban and rural areas in Tanzania. One group, from rural areas, followed a plant-based diet typical of the Chagga people, who live on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Their diet included foods like finger millet porridge, taro, ugali (maize flour-based dish), okra, and mchicha (a traditional vegetable dish). This group switched to a Western diet for two weeks, including sausages, white bread, French fries, and biscuits. A second group of participants from urban areas, who already consumed a Western-style diet, reversed their dietary habits. A third group consumed “mbege,” a traditional fermented banana drink, while a control group maintained their usual diet.
The researchers analyzed immune system function, blood inflammation markers, and metabolic processes before and after the two-week dietary intervention. Results showed that participants who switched to a Western diet exhibited increased inflammatory proteins and a weakened immune response, while those who adopted the traditional African diet experienced a reduction in inflammation. Some of the beneficial effects persisted even four weeks after the intervention, indicating that short-term dietary changes could have lasting health benefits.
This study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of dietary transitions on health, particularly in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, which has historically been underrepresented in nutritional immunology research. While infectious diseases have dominated research attention in the region, there is now growing recognition of the rising burden of NCDs and the role that diet plays in shaping immune and metabolic health.
The findings also emphasize the need for region-specific dietary recommendations, as global dietary guidelines often fail to consider the unique cultural and environmental factors in different regions. The researchers argue that the growing prevalence of unhealthy Western-style diets in many African countries may contribute significantly to the rising incidence of NCDs.
Experts in the field support the findings, noting that the traditional African diet, with its emphasis on plant-based foods rich in antioxidants, plays a key role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which contribute to chronic diseases. This research is an important step toward developing a deeper understanding of the health benefits of traditional diets and the potential for dietary interventions to prevent the rise of NCDs in Africa.
