New Study Suggests This Diet Shift Is Associated With Lower Risk & Severity Of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is still very much here, and with the spread of new variants, there's no true way to know what the future holds. A new prospective cohort study, published earlier this week, considered the links between diet quality and the risk and severity of COVID-19—and we can't say we're entirely surprised by the results.

Using data from over 500,000 participants, they scored diet quality based on a scale that emphasized healthy whole plant foods, especially fruits and vegetables. During months of follow-up, the researchers found that a healthy plant-based diet was associated with a lower risk and lower severity of COVID-19—and for individuals living in areas where that type of food is less available, the association may be even higher.

In the end, they found that "even after accounting for other healthy behaviors, social determinants of health, and virus transmission measures" the data suggests that "a healthy diet was associated with lower risk of COVID-19 and severe COVID-19."

Since then, the link between diet, nutrition, and COVID-19 severity and infection risk has become more of the conversation, which is good. But this new report is pointing straight toward plant-based eating as the possible "best" diet for helping to lower risk and severity of infection.

While there are other preventive measures you can take to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, perhaps eating a whole-food, plant-based diet could help to further protect you from severe illness. Foods that are rich in immune-supporting nutrients such as zinc and vitamin C are good places to start, and we have a great beginner's guide to plant-based eating here.