Risk Of Contracting COVID-19: The Mediterranean Diet May Reduce The Risk Of Contracting COVID-19
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19: Consuming more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole grains reduces the risk of severe COVID-19.
Indonesian researchers, in a study published on Wednesday in the journal PLOS One, examined how a specific lifestyle can affect the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. They found that following the Mediterranean diet may reduce this risk.
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19, Several studies have reported the link between COVID-19 and inflammation in the body, highlighting the role of inflammation in the severity of the disease. The Mediterranean diet is also well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19, According to CNN, the researchers reviewed six studies conducted between 2020 and 2023 in five countries on over 55,400 participants to assess the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and the reduced risk of COVID-19. The participants reported their adherence to the Mediterranean diet through questionnaires.
COVID-19 And Mediterranean Diet
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19, The review of three studies revealed a significant relationship between following the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of contracting the coronavirus. However, two other studies did not find a significant connection. According to Andre Siahan, the lead author of the study, a decrease in the risk of contracting COVID-19 was reported among all participants who followed the Mediterranean diet, but due to the differences in the statistical significance, it’s not possible to present a specific numerical value for this reduction.
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19, Among the food categories recorded and measured in some studies, higher consumption of olive oil, fruits, and nuts, lower consumption of grains and red meat, and moderate alcohol intake were linked to a reduced risk of contracting COVID-19. There was also a relationship between higher consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole grains and a lower risk of severe COVID-19.
Dr. Jordi Merino, associate professor at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, stated that these findings could have important health implications and underscore the importance of optimal nutrition in preventing infectious and non-communicable diseases. However, he added that this review only provides a preliminary insight, and attention should be paid to the significant limitations that affect the reliability of the results. Factors such as obesity, diabetes, and access to healthy foods could have influenced the outcomes but were not considered in many studies.
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19: The Impact Of Dietary Improvement On Disease Risk
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19, Short-term dietary changes may have a limited effect on the risk of contracting COVID-19, but the benefits of a long-term healthy diet can be greater.
Foods rich in antioxidants, fiber, and micronutrients—including various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and olive oil—can strengthen the immune system and the body’s natural microbiome while reducing inflammation. Multiple studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of some diseases or exacerbation, such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, breast cancer, high cholesterol, memory loss, and depression.
Risk Of Contracting COVID-19, However, it’s important to remember that vaccination against COVID-19 remains the best and safest way to protect the body from the virus and has significantly reduced the death rate associated with it.
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