Mediterranean Diet Influence on SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Adverse Reaction: Friend or Foe?

Paola Gualtieri; Giulia Frank; Rossella Cianci; Antonella Smeriglio; Angela Alibrandi; Laura Di Renzo; Domenico Trombetta

doi:10.3390/nu16121846

Nutrients (Jun 2024)

Mediterranean Diet Influence on SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Adverse Reaction: Friend or Foe?

Paola Gualtieri,
Giulia Frank,
Rossella Cianci,
Antonella Smeriglio,
Angela Alibrandi,
Laura Di Renzo,
Domenico Trombetta

Affiliations

Paola Gualtieri: Section of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Giulia Frank: PhD School of Applied Medical-Surgical Sciences, University of Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Rossella Cianci: Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Antonella Smeriglio: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
Angela Alibrandi: Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Laura Di Renzo: Section of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Domenico Trombetta: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121846
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 12
p. 1846

Abstract

Read online

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has long been recognized for its health-promoting attributes, with proven benefits in preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, MedDiet’s potential to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection gained attention. This study aims to investigate the interplay among MedDiet adherence, immune system response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and potential sex-related variations. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted through collecting data from a web survey for the Italian population. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS); in addition, COVID-19 symptoms and vaccination details were also obtained. Results: Significant associations between MedDiet adherence, COVID-19 symptoms, and vaccine-related side effects were observed. Notably, females demonstrated distinct responses, reporting lymph node enlargement and a different prevalence and severity of vaccine side effects compared to males. Conclusions: This study highlights the protective role of the MedDiet against COVID-19 and emphasizes the relevance of sex-specific responses in vaccination outcomes according to MEDAS score.

Published in Nutrients

ISSN: 2072-6643 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords