Healthier diets reduce COVID-19 risk: real-time meta-analysis of 30 studies (Version 36)

Significantly lower risk is seen for ICU admission, hospitalization, progression, recovery, cases, and viral clearance. 26 studies from 25 independent teams in 10 countries show significant benefit.

Meta-analysis using the most serious outcome reported shows 51% [42‑58%] lower risk. Results are similar for higher quality studies.

Results are very robust—in worst case exclusion sensitivity analysis 28 of 30 studies must be excluded before statistical significance is lost.

Control Healthy dietDiet

Studies analyze diet quality before infection, and use different definitions of diet quality.

No treatment is 100% effective. Protocols combine safe and effective options with individual risk/benefit analysis and monitoring. All data and sources to reproduce this analysis are in the appendix.

Other meta-analyses show significant improvements with diet for hospitalization1, severity2, and cases1,2.

2 meta-analyses show significant improvements with diet for hospitalization1, severity2, and cases1,2.