Bogotá, Colombia – Daily consumption of 2-3 cups of coffee is associated with a lower incidence of Covid-19, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the monthly (online) journal on human nutrition Nutrients. The study Dietary Behaviors and Incident COVID-19 in the UK Biobank had almost 38,000 eligible UKB participants aged 40-70, of which 17% tested positive for covid-19.
The results of the model showed that the odds of testing positive for covid-19 was 0.90 (that is, down 10% from 1) when consuming 2-3 cups of coffee/day (vs. less than 1 cup/day).
These results are very similar for those having been breastfed (0.91) versus not having been breastfed. Consumption of vegetables showed an even lower odds of incidence (0.88), while intake of processed meats was adversely associated (1.14).
All these results led to the conclusion that consumption of coffee and vegetables and having been breastfed are favorably associated with a lower incidence of covid-19.
The researchers assumed that nutritional status influences immunity, but its specific association with susceptibility to covid-19 remains unclear.
The study also concluded that certain dietary behaviors may be an additional tool to existing covid-19 protection guidelines to limit the spread of the virus.
Study methodology
Researchers from Northwestern University, Chicago, USA, examined the association of specific dietary data and incident covid-19 in the UK Biobank.
For the participants, self-reported baseline data (2006-2010) were linked to the Public Health England covid-19 test results, using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) between March and November 2020.
Baseline diet factors included breastfed as baby and specific consumption of coffee, tea, oily fish, processed meat, red meat, fruit, and vegetables. Individual covid-19 exposure was estimated using the UK’s average monthly positive case rate.
Logistic regression estimated the odds of covid-19 positivity by diet status, adjusting for baseline socio-demographic factors, medical history, and other lifestyle factors.
The complete study can be consulted at this link.
