This article lists key nutrients, foods, and nutrition practices that may be beneficial for people who have COVID-19 or are recovering from it. These foods won’t prevent you from contracting the novel coronavirus or cure the disease, but they have been shown to support immune health. It’s important to note that this is an emerging area of research. The virus’s full name is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the illness it causes is called COVID-19 ( 4).ĬOVID-19 negatively affects nutritional status because it decreases appetite and may limit your access to nutritious foods during confinement, yet it simultaneously increases your body’s need for nutrients, such as vitamin D ( 3, 5, 6).ĭiet and nutrition can help support your immune health if you have COVID-19, especially if you consume foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties ( 1, 2, 5, 6, 7). The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic in March 2020.

Both inflammation and oxidative stress are elevated when you have COVID-19 ( 1, 2). Poor nutrition is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, which compromise immune health. There’s an important relationship among your nutritional status, immune health, risk of infection, and ability to recover from illness ( 1, 2, 3). You may consider complimenting COVID-19 treatments with foods that include vitamins A, C, and D, as well as carotenoids, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Having a healthy immune system is important for COVID-19 recovery.

Eat & run scott jurek