Western diets linked to weak immunity in HIV patients

Researchers in Zimbabwe and the United States have found new evidence suggesting that Western-style diets may worsen immune dysfunction in people living with HIV, highlighting nutrition as a key factor in HIV treatment outcomes.

The study, led by scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, examined how dietary patterns influence gut microbiome composition and immune health among people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.

It compared participants consuming traditional agrarian diets with those eating more Westernised foods, finding notable differences in immune markers linked to disease progression and treatment response.

The researchers reported that individuals who consumed more Western-style diets—typically high in fat and low in fibre—showed signs of increased immune dysfunction compared to those on traditional diets.

They also noted that rural participants generally consumed fewer processed foods and more staple-based diets, with sadza remaining a key component of daily nutrition.

"Individuals residing in rural areas of Zimbabwe less frequently consumed high-fat, low-fibre Western-type food items," the study noted.

According to the findings, Western dietary patterns were associated with reduced CD4+ T cell percentages in people living with HIV, both in untreated individuals and those on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The study also found increased markers of immune exhaustion among participants on ART who consumed more Western-style diets, suggesting a possible link between diet quality and immune system recovery.

"Consumption of a more Western-type diet correlated with lower CD4+ T cell percentage … and increased T cell exhaustion," the researchers reported.

They further observed that urban participants were more likely to consume processed foods and sugary drinks, reflecting broader dietary shifts linked to urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa.

In treated patients, the study found that Western dietary patterns were associated with higher levels of immune exhaustion markers, particularly CD8+PD1+ T cells, which are linked to reduced immune efficiency.

Researchers concluded that diet should be considered an important component of HIV care, alongside antiretroviral therapy, especially in regions with high HIV prevalence.

They added that high-fat, low-fibre diets may contribute to worsening HIV-related inflammation and could negatively affect treatment outcomes.

"Taken together, this work supports that consumption of more high-fat/low-fibre type food items has the potential to exacerbate HIV pathogenesis," the study concluded.

The findings reinforce growing calls for integrated nutritional support in HIV management programmes across sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of global HIV cases are concentrated.