Dietary factors and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Moli-sani Study Cohort

Abstract Background A healthy diet plays a major role in supporting the immune system which is critical to protect the host from pathogenic organisms. To date, evidence on the relationship between dietary habits and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is still scarce. Methods Analyses on 1,096 participants from the Moli-sani Study (2005-2010) who were re-examined in 2017-2020, and in January-September 2021. Food intake was assessed in 2017-2020 using a 188-item FFQ. Adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) ranging from 0 to 9. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for incident SARS-CoV-2 infection in association with dietary factors. Results Out of 1,096 participants, 90 either reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 or were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before receiving any COVID-19 vaccine. In a multivariable-adjusted model controlled for known risk factors, a 1-point increase in MDS was associated, though not significantly, with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.78-1.04). Among individual dietary components, a high consumption of vegetables or fruits and nuts was associated with lower odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.57; 0.34-0.96 and OR = 0.61; 0.37-1.00, respectively). High fish intake was otherwise linked to increased risk of infection (OR = 2.05; 1.25-3.36). Nutritional factors associated with reduced risk of infection were dietary fibre (OR = 0.50; 0.27-0.93 for 10 g/d increase), vegetable proteins (OR = 0.56; 0.33-0.94 for 10 g/d increase) and vitamin C (OR = 0.94; 0.89-0.99 for 10 g/d increase). Conclusions Adherence to MD was suggestive of a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, large amounts of fruit and vegetables were associated with reduced odds of being infected, as well as diets rich in fibre, vegetable proteins and Vitamin C. Key messages Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, Vitamin C and fibre were independently associated with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nutrition could represent an effective strategy at the population level to contribute to the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.


Background:
The global outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in the closure of stadiums and the interruption of Serie A for three months. Many studies have evaluated the effects of COVID on population health, but few have evaluated the effects of containment measures on the health of football players. With this study, we evaluated the impact of this break on Serie A football players.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted considering a timespan of three Serie A seasons (2018-19; 2019-20; 2020-21). The information was obtained from the German website Transfermarkt. All the players who had played at least one match during each of the Serie A season were identified. For each of the players, data concerning the number of days lost due to injury, both before and after the stop in the championship due to Covid, were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 17 Software.

Results:
According to the selection criteria, 264 players were selected. This group was subsequently skimmed to 256 players after eliminating all players who did not suffer physical injuries over the timespan considered (non-purely orthopedic surgery; COVID; Intestinal problems; Infections). 256 players were analysed, 228 had skipped at least one day for pre-lockdown due to physical injury (median = 37,5), while 227 missed a day for post-lockdown (median = 27). Wilcoxon signed-rank test between days lost due to injuries before and after lockdown highlighted significant differences (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Comparing pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods, we noticed that there were fewer days skipped due to physical injury post lockdown. Statistical evidence suggests that the same players were more susceptible to suffer physical injuries in the pre-lockdown period. This is probably because some players have worked with home coaching by spending more time in the gym and less time on the field. Also tapis roulant and cyclettes were often delivered to football players' homes.

Key messages:
In this phase of coexistence with COVID-19 it is of fundamental importance to understand the impact that public health measures have on the population. Although, with vaccination, there has been a reduction in the number of cases, it is critical to strengthen preparedness against all possible epidemic scenarios.

Background:
A healthy diet plays a major role in supporting the immune system which is critical to protect the host from pathogenic organisms. To date, evidence on the relationship between dietary habits and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is still scarce.

Results:
Out of 1,096 participants, 90 either reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 or were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before receiving any COVID-19 vaccine. In a multivariable-adjusted model controlled for known risk factors, a 1-point increase in MDS was associated, though not significantly, with lower risk of SARS-

Conclusions:
Adherence to MD was suggestive of a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, large amounts of fruit and vegetables were associated with reduced odds of being infected, as well as diets rich in fibre, vegetable proteins and Vitamin C. Key messages: Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, Vitamin C and fibre were independently associated with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nutrition could represent an effective strategy at the population level to contribute to the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.