J Food Bioact

Journal of Food Bioactives, ISSN 2637-8752 print, 2637-8779 online

Journal website www.isnff-jfb.com

Review

Volume 15, September 2021, pages 29-38

Impact of dietary nutrients (functional foods/nutraceuticals) and micronutrients on COVID-19: a review

Figure 1. Overview of highlighting the importance of dietary supplements (micronutrients), functional foods/nutraceuticals in COVID-19.

**Table 1.** Summary of dietary/supplementation recommendations and proposed health benefits along with food hygienic guidelines from different nutritional or dietary or health organizations/societies/councils
Dietary/supplementation recommendation	Proposed health benefits and hygienic guidelines (food safety)	Organization/Association/Council
Intake of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in fibers, minerals, and vitamins (Colored fruits and vegetables are highly recommended). Avoid or limit the use of processed or canned food. Lower the consumption of sugar, fat, or salt. Keep hydrated (drink enough water). Do some indoor exercises, yoga, and meditation	Consumption of fruits and vegetables can improve overall health status especially lower oxidative stress and enhance immune system and thus lowering the risk of Covid 19. Wash hands before handling food (before eating or cooking). Wash vegetables/fruits before cooking. Maintain social distancing and wear a mask (outdoor activities)	WHO (2020)
Increase fruits and vegetable consumption. Intake fish oil rich in DHA/EPA. Vitamin and mineral-rich supplements or fruits/vegetables must be consumed. Drink a glass of milk and take only low-fat dairy products are better (especially probiotics). Lower the usage of processed and junk foods. Make cooking and eating fun, makes children happy, and lower stress	Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals could decrease stress and enhance the endurance and immune response (increase antibody production) and thus mitigate the severity of Coronavirus infection. Wash hands before handling food (before eating or cooking). Pregnant women with Covid 19 can still breastfeed. Children should maintain social distancing and wear a mask (outdoor activities)	UNICEF (2020)
Consume a healthy and balanced diet by including vegetables, nuts (healthy fat), whole grains, and fruits. Diversity food consumption and do not avoid any food completely, to balance your system. Limit alcohol consumption. Avoid excessive intake of fats or sugar	Eating healthy and balanced food will significantly improve the immune system (proliferation of T and B cells). Dietary fibers and healthy fat can lower the comorbid conditions associated with Covid 19. Wash all the food materials before cooking. Wash hands regularly	FAO (2020)
Prefer fresh food and try to avoid stored or canned food especially fruits and vegetables. Consume dried nuts like walnut, almond, cashews, peanuts. Intake whole grains/cereals and drink at least a glass of milk. Try to consume herbs and spices with your food. But avoid excessive salt or sugar (carbonated drinks)	Following the dietary plan, it can help maintaining a strong immune function as well as substantially improve your mental health. Sterilize the food before cooking and wash hand with soap for at least 20 seconds	DAA (2020)
Recommended to control the disease by following only hygienic procedure (food safety), no dietary recommendation	Wash your hand regularly for at least 20 seconds. Clean/sanitize the working space and kitchen to avoid food contamination. Refrigerate perishable food and clean than before cooking. Wear a mask as much as possible and maintain social distancing	CDC (2020)

Table 1. Summary of dietary/supplementation recommendations and proposed health benefits along with food hygienic guidelines from different nutritional or dietary or health organizations/societies/councils

Dietary/supplementation recommendation

Proposed health benefits and hygienic guidelines (food safety)

Organization/Association/Council

Intake of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in fibers, minerals, and vitamins (Colored fruits and vegetables are highly recommended). Avoid or limit the use of processed or canned food. Lower the consumption of sugar, fat, or salt. Keep hydrated (drink enough water). Do some indoor exercises, yoga, and meditation

Consumption of fruits and vegetables can improve overall health status especially lower oxidative stress and enhance immune system and thus lowering the risk of Covid 19. Wash hands before handling food (before eating or cooking). Wash vegetables/fruits before cooking. Maintain social distancing and wear a mask (outdoor activities)

WHO (2020)

Increase fruits and vegetable consumption. Intake fish oil rich in DHA/EPA. Vitamin and mineral-rich supplements or fruits/vegetables must be consumed. Drink a glass of milk and take only low-fat dairy products are better (especially probiotics). Lower the usage of processed and junk foods. Make cooking and eating fun, makes children happy, and lower stress

Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals could decrease stress and enhance the endurance and immune response (increase antibody production) and thus mitigate the severity of Coronavirus infection. Wash hands before handling food (before eating or cooking). Pregnant women with Covid 19 can still breastfeed. Children should maintain social distancing and wear a mask (outdoor activities)

UNICEF (2020)

Consume a healthy and balanced diet by including vegetables, nuts (healthy fat), whole grains, and fruits. Diversity food consumption and do not avoid any food completely, to balance your system. Limit alcohol consumption. Avoid excessive intake of fats or sugar

Eating healthy and balanced food will significantly improve the immune system (proliferation of T and B cells). Dietary fibers and healthy fat can lower the comorbid conditions associated with Covid 19. Wash all the food materials before cooking. Wash hands regularly

FAO (2020)

Prefer fresh food and try to avoid stored or canned food especially fruits and vegetables. Consume dried nuts like walnut, almond, cashews, peanuts. Intake whole grains/cereals and drink at least a glass of milk. Try to consume herbs and spices with your food. But avoid excessive salt or sugar (carbonated drinks)

Following the dietary plan, it can help maintaining a strong immune function as well as substantially improve your mental health. Sterilize the food before cooking and wash hand with soap for at least 20 seconds

DAA (2020)

Recommended to control the disease by following only hygienic procedure (food safety), no dietary recommendation

Wash your hand regularly for at least 20 seconds. Clean/sanitize the working space and kitchen to avoid food contamination. Refrigerate perishable food and clean than before cooking. Wear a mask as much as possible and maintain social distancing

CDC (2020)