One Diet Might Cut Your Odds for COVID-19

THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- COVID cases have surged this summer, but a new study suggests that following the Mediterranean diet might spare you from infection. In a review published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One , Indonesian researchers discovered that the healthy eating regimen, which centers on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and heart-healthy fats like olive oil and nuts, lowered the risk of COVID infection.

“There have been numerous studies that heavily associated COVID-19 with inflammation [in the body], while the Mediterranean diet has been long known for its anti-inflammatory properties,” senior study author Andre Siahaan , a lecturer at the Center of Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of North Sumatra in Indonesia, told CNN . “Through our study, we reported a link that further strengthened the connection between these two, in line with our hypothesis.” “We are aware that changing someone’s diet may not be easy, however, slowly adjusting and incorporating the Mediterranean diet elements one by one into your life would be a good idea,” Siahaan added.

One expert applauded the findings. “These results could have significant public health implications, underscoring the importance of optimal nutrition in preventing both communicable and noncommunicable diseases,” Dr. Jordi Merino , an associate professor at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, .