It is pointed out that many of the “foods and supplements that prevent the new coronavirus” that are prevalent in SNS are hoaxes, and how to find the correct information?
On the new coronavirus, it is on the SNS that the 'hoax about the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been around for many' is
Coronavirus: there are no miracle foods or diets that can prevent or cure COVID-19
https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-there-are-no-miracle-foods-or-diets-that-can-prevent-or-cure-covid-19-136666
According to Ibitoye, even though there is no evidence that certain foods or supplements are effective against COVID-19, there is a large amount of hoax on the SNS promoting such foods and supplements. As an example, Ibitoye cites the following five:
◆ 1: Garlic
It is known that allicin , allyl alcohol , and allyl disulfide , which are abundant in garlic, have antibacterial effects and are effective against bacteria causing food poisoning such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.
But Ibitoye says, 'There are limited studies investigating the antiviral properties of garlic. Although garlic is considered a health food, there is no evidence that garlic can prevent or treat COVID-19.' He pointed out that there is a difference between having an antibacterial effect and being effective against the new coronavirus.
◆ 2: Warm water with lemon slices
According to Ibitoye, many posts centering on Facebook that lemons are effective in preventing new coronaviruses have been shared and are in fashion.
An example is below. In this post, published on March 8, 2020, Professor Chen Horin, who is the director of a military hospital in Beijing, introduced the message, 'Warm water with lemon slices saves your life.'
However, according to the fact-check site AltNews, the
'There is no scientific evidence that lemons cure disease. Indeed, lemons are a good source of vitamin C and are notable because they help immune cells function properly. Many other citrus fruits and vegetables also contain vitamin C. '
◆ 3: Vitamin C
As mentioned above, it is true that vitamin C is a nutrient that supports immunity, but it is not only vitamin C that supports the immune function of the human body. Also, many of the claims that vitamin C is effective against COVID-19 are based on studies and experiments on 'vitamin C and the cold,' so COVID-19 does not apply.
'There is a big difference between a cold and COVID-19. So far, there is strong evidence that supplementing with vitamin C can prevent or cure COVID-19.' I don't. '
◆ 4: Alkaline food
According to Ibitoye, there is a hoax on SNS that 'alkaline foods such as lemon, lime, orange, turmeric tea, avocado, which have a higher pH than the new coronavirus are effective.' A pH of 7 is neutral, and lower is acidic and higher is alkaline, but these hoaxes claim that 'lemon is weakly alkaline at pH 9.9 and is effective against COVID-19.'
However, the actual pH of lemon is 2 and it is acidic rather than alkaline. In addition, Ibitoye responded to the claim that 'acidic foods become alkaline when they are metabolized in the body.' 'There is no evidence that foods affect the pH levels of blood and somatic cells in the first place. The human body maintains a constant acidity, regardless of the type of food it consumes, 'he denied.
◆ 5: Ketone diet
Ketone diet ( ketogenic diet and is), the energy without taking the carbohydrates as much as possible of the diet that intake from fat. It is said that this diet spreads immune cells called gamma delta T cells throughout the body and improves the body's metabolism.
You can read about the ketone diet by reading the following article.
Mouse study shows that `` ketone diet '' of high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet is counterproductive if done for more than 1 week-GIGAZINE
According to Ibitoye, these studies are about mice, so their effects in humans are unknown.
◆ How to spot a hoax?
There are many cases where it is difficult to judge because such hoaxes do not have time to enumerate and there are some that show the possibility of actually improving the immune function. So, in general, Ibitoye said, 'In general, the following claims are likely to be' fake ',' enumerating the characteristics of hoaxes as follows.
・ A person who recommends certain foods, drinks, and supplements, saying that they are effective in preventing or treating COVID-19
・ Especially those that use a lot of buzzwords such as 'cleansing,' 'cure,' 'treatment,' 'boost,' 'detox,' and 'superfood.'
· Contrary to the above, recommending some food group restrictions
・ Information not published by a reliable health institution
`` The British Dietetic Association (BDA) does not prevent COVID-19 from certain foods and supplements, so Ibitoye said that a healthy and balanced diet is needed to support immune function. It's important to note that all the nutrients we get from our normal diet, including copper, folic acid, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and D, are all normal immune systems. I am involved in maintaining function. '
Exceptionally, BDA takes 10 micrograms of vitamin D supplements per day or eats foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish, egg yolk, and breakfast cereals supplemented with vitamin D. And advise you to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D. This is because it is feared that you may not get enough vitamin D because the city blockage and restrictions on outing have reduced your chances of being exposed to the sun.
In addition, several research results have been reported that suggest a relationship between COVID-19 and vitamin D.
New data and research results showing that it is possible that vitamin D deficiency causes the severity of new coronavirus to vary from country to country-GIGAZINE
Research results show that severe coronavirus patients are deficient in vitamin D-GIGAZINE
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in Junk Food, Posted by log1l_ks