Volume 25, Issue 112, June 2021

Saudi society’s dietary habits and the use of nutritional supplements during the corona pandemic: A cross-sectional retrospective study

Eman A Abduljawad

Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The Coronavirus pandemic is still the deadliest pandemic the world has ever seen. Even though several Coronavirus vaccines, everyone is still searching for other ways to prevent the disease. It is impossible to overestimate the role of good nutrition in maintaining a strong immune system against the virus. This study aimed to see whether people's eating habits changed due to the recent Coronavirus pandemic, and if people understood the importance of a nutritious diet rich in micronutrients for Coronavirus prevention and treatment. A retrospective cross-sectional was used in this study on 468 Saudi Arabian residents. 82.7% of the participants believed that healthy food prevents infection with Coronavirus, 49.1% changed their dietary pattern during the pandemic, and 177 reported their dependence on vegetables and fruits in their diet, 162 honey, 94 black seeds, 92 onions and garlic during the Corona pandemic. 46.7% of them consumed vitamin C, 24.4% vitamin D, 19.6% zinc, and 9.3% multivitamins. 78.5%, of the participants consumed supplements and catch Coronavirus, while who did not consume supplements and were infected with the Coronavirus was 21.5%. The majority of the sample relies on non-medical sources to assess vitamins dosages, and the majorities of them are not using the proper dosages and are unaware that they may cause side effects. Especially during the Corona pandemic and the spread of many incorrect practices, it is advised to educate communities about the importance of a healthy nutritious diet, the benefits and risks of supplements to enable them to only take the recommended doses.

Keywords: Healthy diet, Coronavirus, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, supplements

Medical Science, 2021, 25(112), 1248-1260

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