Scientists from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that plant-based diets support immunity, which may decrease the risk of severe COVID-19 infection.
The research is published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and was conducted by Hana Kahleova et al.
The study explores lessons learned from the H1N1 influenza outbreak of 1918.
During that pandemic, the best outcomes were reported by a Seventh-day Adventist seminary, where a plant-based diet of grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables was provided.
Other recent studies comparing nutrition to COVID-19 outcomes show similar results with plant-based diets supporting a lower risk for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 symptoms.
One study with almost 600,000 participants showed that those with a high consumption of fruits and vegetables had a reduced risk of COVID-19 of any severity by 9% and a reduced risk of severe COVID-19 by 41%.
Another study in health care workers who were frequently exposed to COVID-19 in their clinical practice has demonstrated that those who reported being on a plant-based diet had a 73% lower risk of moderate-to-severe COVID-19.
Plant-based foods are rich in nitrates and antioxidants which support heart health and improved immunity against respiratory infections.
Another recent study found a plant-based diet helped hospital workers in Washington, D.C., improve their health and quality of life during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the lessons from 1918 and the recent nutrition research in COVID-19, it seems probable that a healthful plant-based diet is a powerful tool to decrease the risk of severe COVID-19.
For this reason, plant-based nutrition should be promoted as one of the key public health measures in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and fighting today’s pandemic.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about a new antiviral drug that treats COVID-19, and green tea may offer new hope to beat COVID-19.
For more information about COVID, please see recent studies about how COVID affects the heart, and results showing how COVID affects the brain.
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