Researchers in the Netherlands and Tanzania tested diets in a short trial. Seventy-seven healthy men from urban and rural areas followed different diets for two weeks. One was a traditional plant-based diet and another was a Western diet.
The traditional menu included foods like finger millet porridge, taro, ugali, okra and mchicha. One group drank mbege, a fermented banana drink. A control group kept their usual food. Scientists measured immune function and blood inflammation after two weeks and again four weeks later. The traditional diet lowered inflammation, while the Western diet increased inflammation and reduced immune effectiveness.
Difficult words
- researcher — person who studies and tests somethingResearchers
- trial — a short test or research study
- plant-based — food made mostly from plants, not meat
- ferment — changed by natural chemical process with bacteriafermented
- control group — people who kept their usual food
- immune function — how the body defends against disease
- inflammation — the body's reaction that causes redness or swelling
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Discussion questions
- Would you try the traditional plant-based diet for two weeks? Why or why not?
- Which food from the traditional menu would you like to try? Why?
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