Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that plant-based eaters have a significantly lower rate of contracting moderate-to-severe symptoms of COVID-19 than those following a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet.
A group of nearly 3,000 healthcare workers in six countries completed a survey detailing COVID-19 side effects (if testing positive) and information detailing lifestyle and dietary patterns.
After controlling for major risk factors such as smoking, physical activity, and age, results showed that those following a plant-based diet were 73% less likely to report severe symptoms of COVID-19 compared to other groups. This research highlights the important nutrients and minerals plant-based diets provide in helping the human body fight disease.
Conclusion “In six countries, plant-based diets or pescatarian diets were associated with lower odds of moderate-to-severe COVID-19. These dietary patterns may be considered for protection against severe COVID-19.”
Kim H, Rebholz CM, Hegde S, et al. Plant-based diets, pescatarian diets
and COVID-19 severity: a population-based case-control study in six countries. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health 2021;0. doi:10.1136/ bmjnph-2021-000272
Laura Bustard is an actuary who is passionate about plants. She has conducted research on the emergency food system and prescription-produce, and recently worked for FairShare CSA Coalition in Madison, WI. She now lives in Goleta, CA, and works remotely for The Standard, holding a Masters of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and a Fellowship from the Society of Actuaries.
October: What We’re Reading, Cooking, Listening To & Learning
While we’re busy growing local plant-based resources here in Santa Barbara County, nationally and globally there’s a...
Research Highlight: Nuts and Seeds
The current evidence supports dietary recommendations to consume a handful of nuts and seeds per day for people...
Your Best Health Is Rooted in Prevention
Welcome to Rooted Santa Barbara! We’re here to fill a critical gap in local healthcare: preventive health through...
Supporting Our Work - We’re currently an all-volunteer organization and we see incredible room and need to grow over the coming year. We understand that this time has enormous challenges for everyone, so while we’ll be seeking support to help roll our vision forward, we’re also thinking creatively to keep our costs low to efficiently build resources and deliver programming at low to no cost to our community. If you’d like to support our work, we hope you’ll consider making a donation to one of our giving programs through our community partner, the Santa Barbara Foundation!
