A systematic review conducted by the University of Sumatera Utara has found that adhering to the Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.
It found that the attributes commonly associated with the Mediterranean diet, such as higher olive oil and fruit intake, as well as lower red meat and cereal consumption were all linked to boosting immune health and staving off the virus.
This was identified by a consistent lower trends of odds ratio for those who regularly consumed dietary choices that fall under the Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean diet has become increasingly popular as a health-boosting strategy because of its strong diversity in micro and macronutrients, as well as polyphenols, carotenoids and omega-3.
Nutraceutical Business Review caught up with Andre Marolop Pangihutan Siahaan, an author of this study and an Assistant Professor at the University of Sumatera Utara, to find out more.
COVID-19 remains an issue worldwide
Although a majority of the world has been able to recover from the effects of the pandemic, the disease still impacts people on a daily basis, Andre explains:
"Despite global vaccination, advanced medication and preventive measures, waves of COVID-19 infections continue to be reported worldwide. Moreover, the growing evidence of reinfections — and even multiple reinfections in one individual — is a cause for concern.”
“In addition to reinfection, post-COVID-19 conditions, or long COVID, continue to be a concern; fatigue, low exercise tolerance and brain fog can affect individuals post-infection for months. Because of the perplexing nature of this condition, no definitive cure is available, and the primary strategy for dealing with it is to focus on preventive measures.”
Nutraceutical developers could capitalise on this ... diet by formulating products with its key nutritional elements
A simple way to enhance immunity
As consumers look for ways to enhance their immune system and avoid getting ill, the role of nutrition in health has come to the forefront.
“Immune defects are consistently found in those who aren’t receiving the right levels of various nutrients; the immune system relies on these dietary elements to function optimally. For some, it isn’t possible to get all these nutrients from their daily food intake, so supplements can be a great solution for this.”
“Since the Mediterranean diet has shown significant promise in mediating inflammation and mitigating infection risks, nutraceutical developers could capitalise on this all-encompassing diet by formulating products with the key nutritional elements associated with it.”
A diet bursting with nutrients
The Mediterranean diet is well-known for its numerous health benefits, attributed to a rich array of micro and macronutrients present in this dietary pattern. Andre elaborates:
“Studies have shown that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with higher plasma levels of α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, EPA, and DHA, essential micronutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. All of these nutrients play a functional role in the body, and can contribute to enhanced immune health.” 
“Zinc — another key nutrient found abundantly in a traditional ‘Mediterranean diet’ — is essential for developing and activating immune cells, including T-cells, B-cells, and macrophages. It plays a role in cell signalling and gene expression and is crucial for synthesising proteins and nucleic acids. Zinc deficiency can even lead to impaired immune responses and increased susceptibility to infections.”
“There is also a high level of fibre in this dietary pattern, which is important for supporting the gut microbiome through its functionality as a prebiotic; their ability to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria also links them to inflammatory regulation and immune system modulation.”
As well as a range of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibres, the Mediterranean diet also contains ‘healthy fats’, Andre states: ”Unsaturated fats play a significant role in modulating inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA, ALA and DHA prevalent in fatty fish have been shown to reduce systemic inflammation and regulate immune responses by influencing the production of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids.”
Reducing disease risk through inflammation management
“Research consistently supports the anti inflammatory effects of the Mediterranean diet, with studies showing that higher adherence is associated with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fibrinogen.”
“This anti-inflammatory property is crucial for immune health, as chronic inflammation can compromise the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections such as COVID-19. Therefore, incorporating aspects of the dietary pattern into our daily lives can significantly benefit our immune health.”
The Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on sustainable eating practices also helps to prevent chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are commonly associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications.”
