Mediterranean Diet May Help Reduce COVID-19 Risk, New Study Suggests

Over the last few years, the Mediterranean diet has become very popular due to its healthy mix of plant-based foods, healthy fats, and whole grains. 

In fact, the Mediterranean diet has been named the best diet for seven years in a row through U.S. News & World Report’s annual poll. 

Now researchers from the Universitas Sumatera Utara in Indonesia report that those who eat a Mediterranean diet may also possibly be reducing their risk of COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

The Mediterranean diet has long been known for its benefits, especially in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes  and anti-inflammatory factors, while inflammation is one of the critical factors in COVID-19.For this study, Siahaan and his team analyzed data from six previously conducted observational studies that reported an association between following the Mediterranean diet and risk of COVID-19 infection, symptoms, or severity, for a total participant size of more than 55,000.Despite global vaccination, advanced medication, and preventive measures, multiple waves of COVID-19 infection continue to be reported worldwide. 

The recent Olympic games saw over 40 athletes testing positive for the virus, underscoring the ongoing threat. Upon analysis, scientists said they consistently observed lower trends of odds ratio for those who adhered to a Mediterranean diet, suggesting that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet might provide protection against COVID-19 infection. Researchers also reported their findings were unclear as to whether or not the Mediterranean diet had any positive impact on COVID-19 symptoms and severity. The findings on the Mediterranean Diet’s effect on symptoms and severity were inconsistent. Still, it’s essential to keep in mind that insignificance may mean a smaller magnitude of impact, and these numbers need to be studied in a larger population. 

The correlation between nutrition and immunity is very interconnected and complex. The Mediterranean diet’s benefit in helping protect against COVID-19 comes from the synergistic effect of every component. 

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vitamins and trace elements as well. Besides, high fiber intake promotes the eubiosis of intestinal microbiota, which will affect the immune system. It is important to note that diet alone does not determine the impact COVID-19 may have on an individual. There are a multitude of factors that play a role including current health conditions, genetic predisposition, level of exposure, organ function, age, metabolic function, and environment just to name a few.