A traditional East African diet, dubbed the 'Kilimanjaro diet' after Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, may offer significant protection against a range of obesity-related diseases, according to a new report.
International experts highlighted the diet's potential benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, in a paper as part of the World Diet Initiative. This initiative focuses on the advantages of traditional diets in non-Western countries. The report also noted potential benefits from traditional Ethiopian and Indian diets.
Historically, communities maintaining these traditional eating patterns have often shown lower rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The authors of the report, published in the journal Nature Medicine, cite intriguing scientific evidence supporting the Kilimanjaro diet's advantages.
A recent trial involving 77 healthy Tanzanian men demonstrated the impact of dietary shifts. When 23 participants switched to a Western-style diet featuring processed sausages, white bread, and fries for two weeks, tests indicated increased inflammation and changes suggesting a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to illness. In contrast, participants who adopted the traditional diet, which included a mildly alcoholic beverage called mbege made from banana and millet, showed reduced inflammation.
Previous research has indicated that residents of Tanzania generally experience lower rates of obesity-related illnesses compared to many Western countries. Studies also suggest that individuals in the region may possess stronger immune systems, better equipping them to fight infections.
The Kilimanjaro diet is characterized by its richness in fermented foods, grains, vegetables, and beans. Key components include mbege, a beverage derived from banana and millet. Millet is a low glycemic index food that helps prevent blood sugar spikes, a factor linked to heart disease and diabetes. The diet also incorporates okra, known for its anti-inflammatory antioxidants, and plantain, a source of bowel-friendly fiber. Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, often included, are believed to enhance gut bacteria that aid in disease resistance.
The World Diet Initiative involves researchers from 12 countries investigating various 'heritage diets,' including those of Maasai communities. The initiative aims to document food sourcing, preparation, and consumption, alongside studying their biological effects. The resulting database will be accessible to researchers, policymakers, and communities to facilitate cross-population comparisons.
Quirijn de Mast, co-lead of the initiative from Radboud University Medical Center, stated that while these diets are not prescriptive blueprints for healthy eating, they possess unique biological and cultural characteristics. He emphasized the significant role of food in influencing health and preventing disease.