A new study provides further evidence that a vegetarian diet has a protective effect against Covid-19 infections.
- A primarily plant-based or vegetarian diet is associated with a 39% lower risk of Covid-19 infection.
- For researchers, plant-based diets provide more nutrients that strengthen the immune system.
- However, this is an observational study. More research is therefore needed to understand and confirm the association highlighted.
Putting vegetables, legumes and nuts on your plate while limiting dairy products and meat would help fight Covid-19. A new Brazilian study, published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health on January 9, 2024, shows that a predominantly plant-based or vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of Covid-19 infection.
Covid-19 and food: vegetarians are less infected
Several studies published in recent years suggest that diet could play a role in the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection. To verify these conclusions, researchers from the University of Sao Paulo therefore decided to evaluate the impact of nutritional habits on the incidence, severity and duration of Covid-19 in 702 volunteers. Participants had to answer detailed questionnaires about their eating habits, including their consumption of vegetables, legumes, nuts, dairy products and meat. They were then divided into two groups: the omnivorous diet and the predominantly plant-based diet. Among the followers of plant-based menus, scientists have also distinguished flexitarians (consuming meat 3 times or less per week) and vegetarians or vegans.
During the period examined, 330 people were infected with Covid-19. The team noticed that “omnivores” had a higher incidence of infection than groups whose menus were plant-based: 52% against 40%. Additionally, they were more likely to have moderate to severe infection: 18% compared to just over 11% for vegetable and fruit lovers. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the duration of symptoms between the different groups.
According to the analyses, people who follow a predominantly plant-based or vegetarian/vegan diet were 39% less likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 or a variant than omnivores.
Diet vegetarian: more nutrients that boost immune defenses
Why do vegetarians seem better protected against Covid-19? The team suggests that plant-based diets provide more nutrients that can strengthen the immune system, helping to fight viral infections.
“Plant-based diets are rich in antioxidants, phytosterols and polyphenols, which positively affect several cell types involved in immune function and exhibit direct antiviral properties”specify the authors in their communicated.
They add : “In light of these results and the results of other studies, and due to the importance of identifying factors that can influence the incidence of Covid-19, we recommend the practice of following diets based on plant-based or vegetarian eating patterns.“
It is important to note that this study is observational in nature. Which means that it does not make it possible to establish a cause and effect link between diet and Covid-19 infection. Further research is therefore needed to confirm these results and better understand the underlying mechanisms.
