Study: Certain foods help ward off COVID-19

Dr. Anthony Fauci says it will be most likely be the end of summer before most adults will be vaccinated for the coronavirus in the United States.

We looked at what can be done to improve protection against COVID-19 until being full vaccinated.

Over the years, green tea has been shown to improve blood flow, lower cholesterol and prevent a variety of heart-related problems. Most recently, it has been shown to possibly help ward off COVID-19.

North Carolina University researchers found green tea contains flavonoids, which have antiviral capabilities. Antivirals work by attaching to an enzyme in the virus and inhibit the virus from replicating.

“It stops the application process so the virus cannot produce new genomes that then can be packaged into new viral particles,” explained Professor Richard Plemper at Georgia State University.

In the study, the chemical compounds in green tea have been found to weaken the spike proteins that give COVID-19 its power to infect and spread. Dark chocolate and grapes were found to do the same thing.

But scientists and doctors are urging the most effective way to prevent COVID -19 is by getting the vaccine as soon as you are able to.

“When they vaccinate, it’s not just about them, but it’s also about the people very close to them,” said Associate Professor Sunjoo Ahn with University of Georgia.

The researchers from the North Carolina University study say drinking milk while having green tea, grapes or dark chocolate can cause the loss of the compounds with antiviral capabilities or lessen the effects of those compounds.

MORE: Study – Chemical Compounds in Foods Can Inhibit a Key SARS-CoV-2 Enzyme