ABSTRACT
Background: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been of global concern as it has affected the health of many and the economies of nations. In order to strengthen the immune system against COVID-19, certain plant-source foods were consumed. Aim: This study was designed to identify and compare various special foods and drinks consumed to prevent COVID-19 during the lockdown in various sub-Saharan countries in comparison to South Africa (SA), as well as highlighting some current dietary recommendations. Setting: Online cross-sectional survey in six African countries, namely South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Kenya. Methods: After sample size determination, an online questionnaire was designed and content validated. The survey link was pretested on 25 people and then circulated for 6 weeks during total lockdown. The proportion of responses for each question were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Half of the 817 participants surveyed were not consuming anything special for COVID-19 prevention. South Africans mostly reported the consumption of supplements or conventional medicines (mainly vitamin C and zinc) while for other countries, a variety of natural foods and drinks were mentioned some having already proved helpful in boosting immune systems. They included infusions of spices with or without honey, fruits and vegetables, medicinal drinks and local beverages. Conclusion: Programmes and campaigns designed to increase awareness of dietary measures for COVID-19 prevention have proved beneficial and should be promoted. Analytical evaluation of the nutritional and health benefits and antiviral potentials of the identified special foods would help in determining which foods to prioritise and promote in the fight against COVID-19. Contribution: This study shows the possibility of finding dietary solutions for managing the pandemic and 'preventive' potentials of certain plant substances.
Subject(s)
Immunization, Secondary , Whole Foods , Disease Prevention , COVID-19 , Beverages , Spices , Fruit , HoneyABSTRACT
La consommation des fruits tropicaux permet selon la quantite consommee de satisfaire les besoins nutritionnels. Par ailleurs; il est important de savoir que les fruits apportent aussi des sels mineraux; des acides amines en faibles quantites a l'organisme
Subject(s)
Fruit , Nutritive Value , VitaminsABSTRACT
Four categories of plant food dominated the diet of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest; Uganda: non-fig tree fruits; fig tree fruits; herbaceous piths and terrestrial leaves. Fruit abundance varied unpredictably; more among non-figs than figs. Pith intake was correlated negatively with fruit abundance and positively with rainfall; whereas leaf intake was not influenced by fruit abundance. Piths typically have low sugar and protein levels. Compared with fruits and leaves they are consistently high in hemicellulose and cellulose; which are insoluble fibres partly digestible by chimpanzees. Herbaceous piths appear to be a vital resource for African forest apes; offering an alternative energy supply when fruits are scarce