A Review on Nutrition and Dietary Recommendation During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction The current pandemic situation of COVID-19 remains severe, affecting every aspect of our lives. Currently, the spread of inaccurate information or fake news on the internet is causing the community to panic. The public is sharing nutrition remedies that claimed to cure or prevent this virus without support from evidence-based studies. Thus, the study aims to determine current evidence based on nutrition and dietary recommendation practiced by affected countries of COVID-19.

Methodology We performed a scoping review using electronic journal databases with the MeSH terms “Novel coronavirus”, “2019 nCoV”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “nutrition therapy”, “nutrition intervention”, “nutrition remedies”, “traditional Chinese medicine”, and “immune system”. A scoping review framework was used to chart the evidence-based on Preferred Method in Reporting Systematic Review and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Results A total of 44 articles met the inclusion criteria from 1 January to 10 April and were used in the review. 60.7% of these studies were identified as review studies, 14.4% observational studies, 10.7% as laboratory diagnoses, 7.1% case studies, and 7.1% study on a clinical trial. This scoping review demonstrates that there is no miracle cure, specific food, or supplement that can cure or prevent COVID-19. Currently, there is no confirmed treatment or vaccine for the disease.

Conclusion Practicing healthy eating habits is the best nutrition recommendation during the pandemic. It is essential to understand that no supplement, particular diet, or other lifestyle modification other than social distancing, and proper hygiene practices can protect you from COVID-19.