Hunter-gatherers have an unusual intestinal flora
A healthy intestinal flora requires the good bacteria. Several studies have already been carried out to be able to classify the different bacteria discovered into “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria.
A recent study (1) suggests that a people from East Africa (the Hadza) have an unusual intestinal flora. That is to say containing bacteria that do not have, for example, peoples with a more advanced standard of living (like ours).
Probiotics ( bacteria with a positive effect ) protect us from many metabolic diseases, and help us to live better on a daily basis by ensuring the proper functioning of transit and good digestion. It is also recommended to replenish the population of our intestinal bacteria destroyed during a heavy treatment for the digestive system (antibiotic treatment, gastroenteritis having caused diarrhea and vomiting) via an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.
They are essential for good health. Yes, but do we all need the same bacteria? Are the “good” bacteria for some the “good” bacteria for others?
An amazing study
Do intestinal bacteria have the same effects on both? The latest study published in Nature Communication would answer this question negatively.
A tribe in Tanzania, the Hadza , are said to have different microorganisms from ours. Living from hunting and gathering, their diet is totally different from that of Western peoples. A way of life quite identical to that of our ancestors.
This is the first study conducted on the intestinal microbiota (all microorganisms) in a population with this way of life. It consisted of taking samples of faeces from 27 Hadza individuals aged between 8 and 70 years old. They were then compared to samples of the same nature, but taken from Italian individuals. Bacterial DNA extraction was performed at a university in Bologna (Italy).
The results
According to the results of this study, the Hadza would have a greater diversity of probiotics than Westerners. Surprisingly, one of the most common probiotics found in dairy products is not present in the Hadza. Even more surprising, they have microorganisms present that are responsible for diseases in Westerners, such as syphilis.
Are the Hadza healthier?
Despite the presence of microorganisms in the Hadzas which are responsible for illnesses in Westerners, they are nevertheless doing very well. They know neither diabetes, nor obesity, nor intestinal inflammation, and more surprisingly, no colon cancer .
They would even have a different profile of microorganisms depending on the sex. Women are gatherers, and consume more fruit, and men are hunters, therefore consuming more meat.
This study gives us an idea of the way of life of our ancestors before sedentarization. We thus understand that among Western peoples, the processing of products and the quantity of foods rich in fat and sugar ingested has changed our intestinal flora, and created diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.