It appears as though COVID-19 is not yet a thing of the past. Even with the distribution of vaccines becoming more widespread, new strains are developing, and we will likely have at least another year before life fully returns to normal. Concerns about the uncertainties of COVID-19 and the ongoing management of it have many wondering what they can do aside from simply getting vaccinated to lower their risk – Including whether eating healthily, more specifically, a vegan diet, could lower your risk of getting COVID-19.
What we do know is that specific measures can reduce the possible spread of COVID-19. Per the CDC, these prevention measures include:
- Avoiding close contact with infected persons
- Frequent washing of hands with soap and water (hand sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands)
- Social distancing
- Mask wearing
- Cleaning and disinfecting
- Work from home
What additional steps can we take to lower our risk of COVID-19? Can your diet help you lower your risk of contracting COVID-19? Let’s take a look at the information.
What Is A Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet is a plant-based diet. However, veganism is more than just a diet. It is an ethical way of living that excludes all forms of animal cruelty or exploitation from food, clothing, or any other purpose. Therefore, we are discussing the plant-based diet aspect of veganism.
There are different forms of vegan diets, and it is essential to recognize some of the differences. I will explain three, but there are more.
A whole food plant-based diet includes a variety of whole plant foods (hence the name). A raw food plant-based diet is similar except nothing is cooked. Instead, foods may be “cooked” at temperatures up to 118°F. The third category is Junk Food Vegan. This way of eating does not rely on whole foods, but rather it depends on foods that are heavily processed. Eating in this manner is often because the person is trying to mimic their pre-vegan diet with plant-based options. However, heavily processed often does not mean healthy, even if the food is plant-based.
World Health Organization COVID-19 Response
We will start by saying that no diet can protect you from COVID-19. However, boosting your immune system can help you fight illnesses, and can lessen the symptoms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies factors that can help boost your immune system. Proper nutrition with a well-balanced diet and hydration are vital components to a healthy immune system. Not only can it boost your immune system, but it is also crucial in lowering the risk of chronic disease and infectious diseases.
WHO defines a healthy diet as:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Whole Grains
- Foods from animal sources
- 8-10 cups of water per day
This means a vegan diet could potentially boost your immune system’s function and help you stay healthy, an important factor in reducing your risk of some of the more serious COVID-related complications.
Who Is Most At Risk For COVID-19?
A preliminary 2020 report by the CDC analyzed the prevalence of underlying health conditions among patients with the Coronavirus. The results indicated that people with heart disease, diabetes, and chronic lung disease are at higher risk for more severe COVID-19.
Although following a vegan diet will not stop you from contracting COVID-19, it does contribute to lessening your risk of some of the significant indicators listed above. By eating a healthy diet, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes, conditions that increase your risk of getting a severe case of COVID-19. However, as we said before, no diet can stop you from getting any virus, including COVID-19.
How Can Going Vegan Lower COVID-19 Risk?
Overall, veganism offers a healthier diet than a standard American diet. On average, vegans eat more fruit and vegetables and consume less cholesterol and saturated fats while eating more seeds, nuts, and legumes. Let’s take a look at some of the conditions that a vegan diet can help prevent.
Obesity
According to 2003 study by the International Journal of Obesity, vegans statistically have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than those who consume meat. A lower BMI correlates to lower weight. Additionally, a higher BMI can lead to type 2 diabetes and coronary disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
The British Diabetic Association suggests that a low-fat vegan diet can have real benefits. These benefits include lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, reducing the incidence of hypertension, and lowering cholesterol levels.
Although this doesn’t definitively establish that veganism can eliminate the risk of getting a severe case of COVID-19, it does demonstrate that a healthy diet rich in nutrients readily available from a vegan diet can greatly benefit your health.
Cardiovascular Disease
Decades of research show the benefits of a plant-based diet. A review in Progress in Cardiovascular Disease addresses multiple clinical trials and observational studies regarding a plant-based diet. These studies found a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by up to 40%.
Summary Of Results
No diet will eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19 or any other virus. However, plant-based diets have shown the ability to help reduce the risk of underlying conditions that impact the risk of contracting and experiencing severe symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Transitioning to a vegan diet is easier than ever.
Outrageous Baking has been crafting delicious gluten-free vegan breads as well as gluten-free / dairy-free sweet breads in Boulder, Colorado since 2006. All of our products are all free of gluten, dairy, nuts, and soy. They are free of all preservatives and additives, because we believe that the best ingredients are the wholesome, natural ones.
Our motto is ‘made with love,’ and it’s been the special ingredient ever since we made our first loaf of bread. Check out our website to order dry ingredients to assist you in your baking, buy our ready-baked sweet and savory breads or even search our store locator to find our goods in local markets near you!
