What a hunter-gatherer diet does to the body in just three days

By Tim Spector

Updated 0859 GMT (1659 HKT) July 5, 2017

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

The Hadza people live in a remote part of Northern Tanzania. They have lived in the area for thousands of years, and represent one of the oldest lineages of mankind.

Photos: Africa's ancient hunter gatherers struggle for survival

Living with the Hadza – The Hadza people live in a remote part of Northern Tanzania. They have lived in the area for thousands of years, and represent one of the oldest lineages of mankind.

Hide Caption

1 of 8

Photos: Africa's ancient hunter gatherers struggle for survival

Living with the Hadza – The Hadza face mounting challenges. In the past 50 years along, they have lost up to 90% of their land.

Hide Caption

2 of 8

The Hadza do not store food or cut trees to build houses. Instead, they make finding sustenance a daily activity, and build temporary huts made from dry grass.

Photos: Africa's ancient hunter gatherers struggle for survival

Living with the Hadza – The Hadza do not store food or cut trees to build houses. Instead, they make finding sustenance a daily activity, and build temporary huts made from dry grass.

Hide Caption

3 of 8

Wild honey makes up a large part of the Hadza diet. They rely on the honeyguide bird to direct them to beehives, and use smoke to chase the bees away. Their techniques have been passed down though generations.

Photos: Africa's ancient hunter gatherers struggle for survival

Living with the Hadza – Wild honey makes up a large part of the Hadza diet. They rely on the honeyguide bird to direct them to beehives, and use smoke to chase the bees away. Their techniques have been passed down though generations.

Hide Caption

4 of 8

Until 30 years ago, the Hadza frequently hunted large animals like zebra, giraffe and buffalo. Most large mammals have now decreased in number, leaving them to depend on smaller animals, such as local antelope and birds.

Photos: Africa's ancient hunter gatherers struggle for survival

Living with the Hadza – Until 30 years ago, the Hadza frequently hunted large animals like zebra, giraffe and buffalo. Most large mammals have now decreased in number, leaving them to depend on smaller animals, such as local antelope and birds.

Hide Caption

5 of 8

Finding food is a daily chore for the Hadza, and there is a division of labor along gender lines. Men hunt wild animals while women gather roots and berries. Both tasks are becoming harder, however, as the Hadza are losing their land to farmers, pastoralists and cattle herders. Their berry bushes have been cleared for crops and their forests have been razed for charcoal and water holes used for irrigation.

Photos: Africa's ancient hunter gatherers struggle for survival

Living with the Hadza – Finding food is a daily chore for the Hadza, and there is a division of labor along gender lines. Men hunt wild animals while women gather roots and berries. Both tasks are becoming harder, however, as the Hadza are losing their land to farmers, pastoralists and cattle herders. Their berry bushes have been cleared for crops and their forests have been razed for charcoal and water holes used for irrigation.

Hide Caption

6 of 8