Western Diet Leads to Inflammation, Whereas Traditional African Diet Protects
A study from Radboud University Medical Center states that a switch of just two weeks to a Western diet may cause inflammation, reduce immunity against pathogens, and activate processes related to lifestyle diseases. In contrast, a traditional African diet, rich in fiber and nutrients, acts as a safeguard.
The Diet Shift in Africa
Lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and inflammation are continuously increasing in Africa, posing a great challenge to the healthcare system. Increased economic development, urbanization, and the wider availability of processed food are making people more prone to a Western diet. This shift has caused significant consequences, prompting Radboud University Medical Center to study its effects.
The Study Results
The study was conducted on seventy-seven healthy men from Tanzania, both from rural and urban backgrounds. Participants who followed a traditional African diet were switched to a Western diet and vice versa. A third group consumed a fermented banana drink daily, while ten remaining participants maintained their usual diet.
Participants who switched to a Western diet observed an increased risk of inflammatory lifestyle diseases, while the other two groups saw a reduction in the risk of such diseases.
Long-Lasting Impact
The study showed that even after a few weeks, these effects persisted. It conveyed that a short-term change in diet could have a long-lasting impact.
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