Nutrition and COVID-19

COVID-19 is more than just the story of 2020, it is a world-altering pandemic that has changed the way entire populations think about and perform daily life. With an effect so widespread and profound, governments, researchers, and average citizens are all striving to adapt and overcome the virus through research, understanding, and treatment.

While no vaccine is available as of yet and treatments are limited in readiness and effectiveness, strides are actively being made to improve prevention and recovery. From medications to limiting transmission to preventative behaviors, the progress made in even a few short months has been encouraging despite the odds.

With much of the research taking place is focused on developing a vaccine and more effective treatment methods, a portion is emphasizing the possibility of prevention and recovery aid through personal action, including nutrition choices.

Reasoning

Many inflammatory illnesses can be combatted by individual preparation, including eating habits and nutrition. This is because the body’s immune response is directly affected by nutrition. The healthier the nutrition status of the individual, the more likely their immune system is to perform at a high level, and the more effective the immune system, the better its response to infections.

With that in mind, it stands to reason that a proper diet and good nutrition could help combat COVID-19, leading to improved prevention, better recovery, and a reduced possibility of a case developing into a severe case.

Of course, there is more to nutrition than whether or not you have enough quality food to eat and are not malnourished. Micronutrients, probiotics, body weight, and more can also influence your immune system’s response to viral infections, making these and other factors important to consider when evaluating such a theory.

Findings

There is no miracle food that will prevent COVID-19, grant assured recovery, or even promise that a case will not become severe. Rather, a balanced diet that is diverse both in what it includes and the nutrients it provides is key to reducing vulnerability, especially among patients with preexisting chronic conditions.

Because inflammation and respiratory infections are related, focusing on a diet that does not exacerbate either is key. So, too, is ensuring that a diet includes the proper amounts of key vitamins, minerals, and even probiotics.

Obesity is also a well-known contributing factor to the severity of COVID-19 cases, making it reasonable to consider a healthy medium between malnutrition and excess weight the ideal diet for combatting illnesses such as COVID-19.

In short, this study confirms what is widely accepted in most medical communities, regardless of focus—a balanced, healthy diet is key to overall individual health, the immune system’s effectiveness, and the prevention of severe infections.