VN – 28 May, 2025

There's been a lot of interest in the mainstream press about 'The Tanzanian Diet' in terms of its health benefits. This is no fad diet.

Research published in Nature Medicine journal outlines the diversity of traditional African diets, which are often rich in in vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains and fermented products. The research recognises the lack of scientific attention that African diets receive compared to Mediterranean or Japanese diet in terms of perceived health benefits.

The study focuses on the Chagga people, whose diet is largely plant-based, fibre-rich, and includes Mbege, a fermented, mildly alcoholic, drink made with a special variety of bananas (called ndizi ngombe) and sprouted finger millet.

We are excited to see traditional African diets getting their dues. The concern is that, as with Western diets, in Africa there is a move away from traditional food due to industrialisation and a desire for convenience. The Tanzanian diet has been linked to a reduction in inflammation, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline.