Why Cities Are Secretly Destroying Our Gut Health - The Truth All Black People Need To Know

The largest gut microbiome study ever conducted in Africa has revealed a disturbing truth about what urbanisation is doing to Black bodies worldwide. Published in Nature journal, this groundbreaking research followed 1,801 women across Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa and the findings should concern every member of the Black diaspora.

In this episode, King Kurus breaks down how the move from rural to urban living is literally killing beneficial bacteria that have protected African populations for millennia. But this isn’t just a modern problem. It’s the continuation of a colonial pattern that began with the systematic destruction of traditional food systems over a century ago.

We explore the historical connection between colonial economic extraction in places like Uganda, the forced urbanization of African populations, and today’s “food deserts” that plague Black communities globally. From the loss of Treponema bacteria to the rise of gut-related diseases, this episode connects cutting-edge science to the long arc of African history.

Whether you’re in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, this story affects you. Discover why geography shapes gut health, how traditional diets protected our ancestors, and what we can learn from rural African communities that still maintain microbial diversity urban populations have lost.

Key topics covered:

• The AWI-Gen 2 Microbiome Project findings
• Colonial food system destruction and its lasting effects
• The science behind gut bacteria and health
• Why traditional African diets matter more than ever
• The connection between urbanization and disease
• What this means for Black communities worldwide

Host: King Kurus

Sources: Nature journal, University of the Witwatersrand, Stanford University, historical colonial records

The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. 

We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.

So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:

Membership benefits include:

• Early access to new episodes
• Bonus episodes and content
• Be part of the creation of new episodes 
• Guest memberships
• Get featured In Episode End credits 
• Ad Free Episodes

https://www.patreon.com/Blackhistorybuff

Join my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts 

https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory

Find me on Social Media

https://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuff

Buy me a Coffee

https://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcast

Thank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission. 

Stay Blessed,

King Kurus, 

The Black History Buff

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-uncovering-untold-stories/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy