With no validated cure for Coronavirus in sight, we are relying on all the scientific discoveries that provide us with alternative measures to prevent the virus. Scores of scientists across the world are trying to come up with ways to minimise the exposure to COVID-19 virus and to combat it in the best possible way. We might not believe in these unsubstantiated findings, but it's interesting to find out how some dietary inclusions may give us a better fighting chance.
A new research by North Caroline State University found out about some foods and beverages that could help you evade Coronavirus. The team saw that the chemical compounds in flavanol-rich foods may prevent certain enzymes in the new coronavirus cells from replicating.
The study that was published in the journal 'Frontiers' tested the effects of green tea, chocolate and muscadine grapes, and realised that these foods contain chemical compounds which can bind to the protease in SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, and could block its function. If protease replication is suppressed, the spread of virus can stop.
De-Yu Xie, professor of plant and microbial biology at North Carolina State University, said in a statement, "One of our lab's focuses is to find nutraceuticals in food or medicinal plants that inhibit either how a virus attaches to human cells or the propagation of a virus in human cells. Mpro in SARS-CoV-2 is required for the virus to replicate and assemble itself. If we can inhibit or deactivate this protease, the virus will die."
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Green tea contains flavanols that may help fight viruses.
Photo Credit: iStock
Flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins (PAs) are two groups of plant flavonoids that were found to be effective against COVID-19 virus.
The study named 8 foods that are rich in flavanol compounds:
- Green Tea
- Dark Chocolate
- Grapes
- Cacao Nuts
- Strawberry
- Cranberry
- Blueberry
- Persimmon
Although the researchers named all the above-mentioned foods with effective flavanols, the study was conducted with only four foods - green tea, dark chocolate, cacao nuts and grapes.
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