Author:
Koyama Sachiko,Joseph Paule V.,Shields Vonnie D. C.,Heinbockel Thomas,Adhikari Poonam,Kaur Rishemjit,Kumar Ritesh,Alizadeh Rafieh,Bhutani Surabhi,Calcinoni Orietta,Mucignat-Caretta Carla,Chen Jingguo,Cooper Keiland W.,Das Subha R.,Rohlfs Domínguez Paloma,Guàrdia Maria Dolors,Klyuchnikova Maria A.,Laktionova Tatiana K.,Mori Eri,Namjoo Zeinab,Nguyen Ha,Özdener Mehmet Hakan,Parsa Shima,Özdener-Poyraz Elif,Strub Daniel Jan,Taghizadeh-Hesary Farzad,Ueha Rumi,Voznessenskaya Vera V.
Abstract
IntroductionThere have been large geographical differences in the infection and death rates of COVID-19. Foods and beverages containing high amounts of phytochemicals with bioactive properties were suggested to prevent contracting and to facilitate recovery from COVID-19. The goal of our study was to determine the correlation of the type of foods/beverages people consumed and the risk reduction of contracting COVID-19 and the recovery from COVID-19.MethodsWe developed an online survey that asked the participants whether they contracted COVID-19, their symptoms, time to recover, and their frequency of eating various types of foods/beverages. The survey was developed in 10 different languages.ResultsThe participants who did not contract COVID-19 consumed vegetables, herbs/spices, and fermented foods/beverages significantly more than the participants who contracted COVID-19. Among the six countries (India/Iran/Italy/Japan/Russia/Spain) with over 100 participants and high correspondence between the location of the participants and the language of the survey, in India and Japan the people who contracted COVID-19 showed significantly shorter recovery time, and greater daily intake of vegetables, herbs/spices, and fermented foods/beverages was associated with faster recovery.ConclusionsOur results suggest that phytochemical compounds included in the vegetables may have contributed in not only preventing contraction of COVID-19, but also accelerating their recovery.