According to a new study from China Medical University, your daily cup of coffee might serve as a surprising form of protection against COVID-19. This study builds on prior research showing that polyphenols found in plant-based foods can help strengthen the immune system and lower the risk of severe illness.
Can Drinking Coffee Really Protect Against COVID?
In the study, 64 adult participants consumed one to two cups of coffee daily, which was found to help prevent infection by multiple COVID-19 virus variants. The results, published in the journal Cell and Bioscience, indicated that both ground and instant coffee, as well as decaffeinated coffee, provided these protective benefits.
The study concluded that coffee may prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering host cells by blocking the spike protein and reducing enzyme activity that is typically associated with severe COVID-19 illness.
A possible new guideline for the prevention of severe COVID-19 illness was proposed by researchers who said that moderate coffee consumption, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, could provide an extra layer of protection during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Future Research and Expert Opinions
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, offered his insights into the study. He noted that while the study is intriguing, it’s essential to replicate these findings in a larger-scale study before drawing definitive conclusions about coffee’s protective benefits. Early research has drawn connections between decreased stomach acidity and improved outcomes with COVID-19, adding to the complexities of coffee’s impact on the virus.
Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan, an infectious disease expert and physician at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska, also commented on the study’s findings. While she found the concepts intriguing, she emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 infection.
In the meantime, the study authors have yet to comment on the study further.
To read more about health topics, visit www.foxnews.com/health. Melissa Rudy is a health editor and member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
