Drinking 2-3 Cups of Coffee a Day Lowers the Risk of COVID-19 Infection

Vegetables and Breast Milk Have Similar Effects... Processed Meat Increases Infection Risk

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] A study has found that drinking at least 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 by about 10%.

Researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois, USA, recently published in the international nutrition journal Nutrients that drinking coffee appears to help prevent COVID-19. They added that this effect seems to apply even to some individuals exposed to COVID-19. It is presumed that the health-promoting phytochemicals contained in coffee strengthen the human immune system.

The researchers utilized medical records from the UK Biobank for this study, aiming to examine the relationship between the consumption of specific foods and COVID-19. The UK Biobank is a project designed to collect genetic data from residents aged 40 to 69 across the United Kingdom.

The team analyzed records of 40,000 British adults, investigating the correlation between daily consumed foods such as coffee, black tea, oily fish, processed meat, red meat, fruits, and vegetables, and COVID-19.

The analysis showed that vegetable intake also lowers the risk of COVID-19 infection. A similar effect was found in individuals who were breastfed as infants.

Meanwhile, people who frequently consume processed meats like bacon and sausages were found to have a higher likelihood of suffering from severe COVID-19. Black tea and fruit showed little effect in preventing COVID-19.

The researchers concluded, "Adherence to certain dietary habits could serve as an additional tool to limit the spread of COVID-19."