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Food as medicine: A possible preventive measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Fan Yang1, Yue Zhang2, Akash Tariq3,4,5,6

  • 1The Medical Center of General Practice, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Phytotherapy Research : PTR
|May 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This review highlights functional food plants that can boost immunity and fight viruses. Incorporating these plants into your diet may help strengthen your immune system against SARS-CoV-2 and improve recovery from COVID-19.

Area of Science:

  • Food Science
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant global health challenge.
  • Individuals with compromised immunity or underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness.
  • The SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to a global health crisis, necessitating preventative and therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and review functional food plants possessing immunomodulatory and antiviral properties.
  • To explore the potential of these plants in supporting immune function and combating viral infections like COVID-19.
  • To provide accessible dietary strategies for enhancing public health during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of English-language journals using online search engines.
  • Data retrieval and compilation on medicinal food plants with relevant properties.
  • Review and synthesis of scientific evidence on plant-based immunomodulatory and antiviral effects.

Main Results:

  • Several functional food plants demonstrate significant immunomodulatory and antiviral capabilities.
  • These plants may enhance the immune system's response to infections, including respiratory tract infections.
  • Dietary inclusion of these accessible plants can potentially bolster defenses against SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

  • Functional food plants offer a promising natural approach to support immune health.
  • Regular consumption of these plants may reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19.
  • Integrating these easily accessible plants into daily diets can contribute to overall public health and resilience against viral threats.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoVimmunomodulatorsmedicinal plantsrespiratory tract infections

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