Title:The Role of Nutrition During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Know
Volume: 21
Issue: 11
Author(s): Elsa Vitale, Manrico Magrone, Vito Galatola and Thea Magrone*
Affiliation:
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, School of Medicine, Bari, Bari,Italy
Keywords:
Immune system, nutrition, patients, prevention, SARS-CoV-2, mediterranean diet.
Abstract:
Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
(COVID-19) infection provokes serious clinical consequences, which in many situations need hospitalization
of the patient in Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, SARS-COV-2 infection can indirectly
cause deaths in aged individuals as well as in patients with co-morbidities.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic in both hospitalized
patients and the general population.
Methods: Authors searched Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library,
Google, and Institutional websites for medical subheadings terms and free full text referred to
“SARS-CoV-2”, COVID-19”, “nutrition”, “immune system”, before 31st July 2020.
Results: A total of 20 articles describing different nutritional interventions for patients with SARS--
CoV-2 infection focusing on the general population have been included. Of these, 6 studies are
dealing with nutritional interventions for patients with SARS-CoV2 infection. The others are focalized
on a potential beneficial effect exerted by a Mediterranean diet (MD), related to the supplementation
of micronutrients and vitamins.
Conclusion: A correct lifestyle, including the consumption of nutrients largely present in MD, may
be beneficial for preventing or improving prognosis in the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
