Tanzanian researchers have suggested that traditional African diets, such as those in the country’s Kilimanjaro region, should be included in global healthy eating guidelines, alongside the Mediterranean and Nordic diets. The researchers made this suggestion based on a recent study during which they found that diets based on plantains, cassava, and fermented banana drinks had anti-inflammatory effects and improved immune system markers. Participants who switched from a Western diet to a heritage diet saw positive changes in their health, with reduced inflammation and improved metabolic markers. However, the reverse was true for participants who switched to a Western diet. The study highlights the importance of preserving and studying African heritage diets, which are at risk of disappearing as more people move to urban areas and adopt Western eating habits.
The Guardian
