Diet-related health issues, like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are major risk factors for severe disease and death in COVID-19.[1] As such, it’s important to have dietary habits that minimize the risk of these health conditions.
Like other respiratory infections, diet is also connected to the COVID-19 through immunity. Diets that are sufficient in energy, micronutrients, and macronutrients are important for maintaining a robust immune system, which will help reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19.[2] Flavonoids (plant compounds that can have antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties; found in especially high quantities in tea, chocolate, capers, and oregano)[3] may be a noteworthy phytonutrient for this purpose.[4]
References
- ^Ya-Dong Gao, Mei Ding, Xiang Dong, Jin-Jin Zhang, Ahmet Kursat Azkur, Dilek Azkur, Hui Gan, Yuan-Li Sun, Wei Fu, Wei Li, Hui-Ling Liang, Yi-Yuan Cao, Qi Yan, Can Cao, Hong-Yu Gao, Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Willem van de Veen, Milena Sokolowska, Mübeccel Akdis, Cezmi A AkdisRisk factors for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients: A reviewAllergy.(2021 Feb)
- ^Michael GleesonImmunological aspects of sport nutritionImmunol Cell Biol.(2016 Feb)
- ^Alhamzah Hasan Waheed Janabi, Asghar Ali Kamboh, Muhammad Saeed, Lu Xiaoyu, Jannat BiBi, Fatima Majeed, Muhammad Naveed, Muhammad Jameel Mughal, Nazar Ali Korejo, Rubina Kamboh, Mahmoud Alagawany, Huixia LvFlavonoid-rich foods (FRF): A promising nutraceutical approach against lifespan-shortening diseasesIran J Basic Med Sci.(2020 Feb)
- ^Vaughan S Somerville, Andrea J Braakhuis, Will G HopkinsEffect of Flavonoids on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Immune Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAdv Nutr.(2016 May 16)