Takeaways
• Polyphenols in natural foods fight coronavirus by blocking viral replication
• Green tea blocks viral replication entirely, while dark chocolate only partially
• Red wine contains a higher concentration and wide variety of phenolic compounds
Many cultures have complementary healthcare practices dealing with cold, flu, and similar illnesses. Onions, garlic, honey, raspberry, and radish are only a few examples of natural alternatives used in traditional medicine.
Multiple scientific have demonstrated that some natural foods not only support health immunity but also can help as an alternative method to fight off the harmful virus.
Foods Fight Coronavirus - Anticovid Diet
Recent studies have shown that polyphenols help to prevent spreading of novel coronavirus in the body by blocking proteases in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Proteases are enzymes that break down long protein chains into small peptides and amino acids. The protease plays a crucial role in the quick replication of COVID-19 inside the body.
Listed below natural products contains different types and amounts of polyphenols which can combat Covid viruses in the human body.
Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, and tannin.
Studies conducted at the North Carolina State University have shown the ability of polyphenols to suppress the virus severity by filling up empty spaces in a protease. The result is inhibition of viral replication.
Brewing green tea correctly helps to release maximum beneficial compounds including polyphenols. Drink 2 to 3 cups a day. You can use any green tea, but a big leaf or matcha are better options.
Make sure not to add any milk or ice to your tea. Milk is bonded to polyphenols and suppresses their function. Ice will cause the precipitation of the phenols.
Dark Chocolate & Cacao Powder
Cacao beans are a great source of flavonoids - one of two polyphenols classes. Flavonoids is a very powerful antioxidant is capable of inhibiting viral replication. The best option is either hot chocolate from cacao powder or dark chocolate from at least 70% cacao beans.
Laboratory tests has shown that green tea blocks viral replication entirely, while dark chocolate only partially.
Other foods like black tea, red wine, grapes, blueberries, and pomegranate are also rich in polyphenols.
Black tea
Phenol Theaflavin in black tea has antiviral properties and is able to suppress coronavirus replication.
Grapes & Red Wine
A study conducted with muscadine grape at North Carolina State University has demonstrated that its skins and seeds have a high concentration of flavonoids.
If you eat the whole grapes, flavonoids with insoluble skin’s fiber pass through your gastrointestinal tract. Most likely, you do not gnaw grape’s seeds. Grape juice has practically free of phenols, since skin and seeds are generally discharged during the juice production.
As for wine, during the wine-making process phenolic compounds from the skins and seeds are released. Fermentation speeds up their extractions. Finally, we have a "Phenolic cocktail".
Red wine contains a higher concentration and wide variety of phenolic compounds then white wine.
Chokeberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, and Pomegranate
German scientists have found that green tea, chokeberry juice, pomegranate juice, and blueberry juice are suppressing coronavirus activity. The chokeberry demonstrated the highest effectiveness.
Disclaimer
No food mentioned above can prevent COVID infection, replace medical treatment and vaccination but eating foods mentioned above can help your body combat a disease.
- Susmit Mhatre, Tishya Srivastava, Shivraj Naik, and Vandana Patravale. "Antiviral activity of green tea and black tea polyphenols in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19". 2020. NCBI.
