Plant-Based and 73% lower risk of COVID - New scientific study.

A new study was published where health professionals who follow a plant-based diet were shown to be much less likely to develop more severe stages of coronavirus.

The first large-scale study of eating habits and severe Covid-19 levels was recently published and the results are amazing. In this study, 2,800 health professionals were recruited (doctors and nurses), but only professionals who work in the so-called front line in the fight against the disease, that is, people who are constantly exposed to the virus.

Data were collected, such as contagion of the disease, current health status, lifestyle, whether they smoke or not, in addition to data on diet and exercise.

Information was collected from 6 countries: the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain during the first wave of the pandemic.

The conclusion

Food choices are a strong indicator of the course of the disease. Those professionals who consumed a Whole Food Plant-Based diet, that is, based on vegetables and whole foods, and vegetarian professionals had 73% less risk of developing Covid in moderate and severe stages. Compared to vegans and vegetarians, participants who followed a low carb, high protein (low carbohydrate, high protein) diet showed a 3x greater risk of developing a severe stage - with high rates of respiratory symptoms, abnormalities in x-ray examinations, in addition to low oxygen levels.

What is the reason for such a conclusion?

The researchers themselves pointed to the numerous benefits of plant-based nutrition to explain these conclusions. People who follow a healthy vegan diet, with high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, consume more fiber, vitamin A, C, and E, folate, potassium, iron, and magnesium. And these nutrients support our immune system, promote the production and proliferation of antibodies, reducing the so-called oxidative stress.

Not mentioned in the study, but worth mentioning here: in addition to such benefits, plant-based nutrition also promotes greater production of nitric oxide, a key factor for our endothelial cells, which line the veins of our body and promote efficient circulation of blood and other nutrients.

A sensational and guiding study to increase our consumption of - really - healthy foods.

You can find the complete study here: https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2021/05/18/bmjnph-2021-000272