Study: Relevance of Mediterranean diet as a nutritional strategy in diminishing COVID-19 risk: A systematic review . Image Credit: Brian A Jackson / Shutterstock Systematic review found that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19, but its impact on symptoms and severity remains unclear. A recent systematic review published in the journal PLoS ONE determined the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk, symptoms, and severity.
Background COVID-19, declared a pandemic in March 2020, has significantly impacted individuals worldwide. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Diarrhea, headaches, and nausea are typical symptoms.
Clinicians categorize COVID-19 as mild, moderate, severe, or critical based on symptomatology, oxygen saturation , and pro-inflammatory biomarkers. COVID-19 severity has a considerable influence on mortality. Inflammation has a vital role in the disease's progression and severity.
Cytokine storms in COVID-19 are robust inflammatory responses with increased production of inflammatory cytokines that can result in severe infections and catastrophic complications. The plant-based Mediterranean diet exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The diet can minimize the likelihood of viral infection and promote viral clearance, indicating that it may protect against COVID-19.
About the systematic review In the pre.