2024-01-10 01:48:11
Updated Wednesday, January 10, 2024 – 00:48
Omnivores had a significantly higher incidence of Covid-19 (52%) than people on plant-based diets (40%) and were more likely to have moderate to severe infection (18% vs. 11%). There was no difference in the duration of symptoms.
A worker at a health center in Santa Cruz de Tenerife hands a mask to a patient.Miguel BarretoEFE
A predominantly plant-based or vegetarian diet is linked to a 39% lower chance of Covid-19 infection, so eating more vegetables, legumes and nuts, and less dairy products and meat can help prevent infection.
That is the main conclusion of a research published this Wednesday in the journal ‘BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health’.
Several studies have suggested that diet may play an important role in the evolution of covid-19 infection, as well as in the factors that increase the risk of its associated complications.
The researchers set out to evaluate the potential impact of dietary patterns on incidence, severity and duration of infection for this disease among 702 adult volunteers between March and July 2022.
Participants were surveyed about their usual eating patterns and the frequency of certain food groups, as well as their lifestyle and medical history, including Covid-19 vaccination. They were then divided into dietary groups. omnivores (424) or predominantly vegetarians (278).
The group of foods of plant origin was divided, in turn, into flexitarians that they eat meat at most three times a week (87) and vegetarians and vegans (191).
Those who reported eating predominantly plant-based or vegetarian diets typically ate more vegetables, legumes, and nuts, and less or no dairy and meat.
There were no significant differences in sex, age or vaccination between the omnivorous and mostly plant-based diet groups, although the latter group had significantly more people with higher education.
Omnivores reported higher rates of medical conditions and lower rates of physical activity, as well as a higher prevalence of overweight or obesity, all factors associated with a higher risk of Covid-19 infection and more serious symptoms.
RESULTS
In total, 330 people (47%) said they had contracted Covid-19, of which 224 (32%) reported mild symptoms and 106 (15%) reported moderate to severe symptoms.
Omnivores had a significantly higher incidence of Covid-19 (52%) than people on plant-based diets (40%) and more likely to have a moderate to severe infection (18% vs. 11%). There was no difference in the duration of symptoms.
After taking into account potentially influential factors, such as weight, preexisting medical conditions, and physical activity levels, there were no overall differences in symptom severity between the omnivore and plant-based diet groups.
But those who ate a predominantly plant-based or vegetarian/vegan diet were 39% less likely to be infected than omnivores, which, according to the study authors, may be because such a diet provides more nutrients that boost the immune system and Help fight viral infections.
“Plant-based dietary patterns are rich in antioxidants, phytosterols and polyphenols, that positively affect several types of cells involved in immune function and exhibit direct antiviral properties,” the researchers write.
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