Nutrition and COVID-19 recovery knowledge hub

A ‘one stop shop’ of information to support recovery from COVID-19 through nutritional care
Vegan food backgrounds: large group of fruits, vegetables, cereals and spices shot from above

Welcome to the Nutrition and COVID-19 recovery knowledge hub

Please choose the section most relevant to your situation. 

At the end of each section we list the references which support the information provided. The logos of organisations which endorse this resource can be found below.

Patients

  • For adults recovering from COVID-19 and the adults supporting them.

Professionals

  • For professionals involved in the care of adults with COVID-19 infection.

About COVID-19

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that has affected more severely older age groups, black and minority ethnic groups, those with other health conditions, and deprived populations. Because of this, it makes health inequalities worse. 

Currently there is increasing evidence documenting a growing number of people experiencing prolonged symptoms as well. 

Older people, in particular, are more likely to have other long-term conditions, and they are also more likely to have a greater risk of malnourishment, making nutrition and diet a very important aspect of recovery. However, anyone may benefit from improving their diet to help recover from COVID-19.

The UK has defined three COVID-19 disease stages:

  • Acute COVID-19: The first four weeks since symptoms begin (regardless of testing type).
  • Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: 4–12 weeks after symptoms began.
  • Post COVID-19 syndrome: More than 12 weeks after symptoms began.

This knowledge hub provides information on nutritional care for the recovery from COVID-19.

Find out more about the project and meet our team

Disclaimers

Nutrition and diet do not substitute vaccination or medically advised COVID-19 treatments.

This knowledge hub is designed to provide information for the general public and does not substitute for medical advice. Dietary advice is complex and difficult to put into practice. Individual responses to dietary changes are highly variable. 

The information in this knowledge hub is not personalised and individuals are advised to seek guidance from a registered dietitian or nutritionist for tailored support.

The research team who designs, edits, reviews and updates the knowledge hub has no conflict of interest to report.

The Nutrition and COVID-19 recovery knowledge hub was originally published on 6 July 2021.

Contact us

This knowledge hub is constantly being reviewed and updated. We welcome your comments or feedback about it.

Please contact abigail.troncohernandez@plymouth.ac.uk and we will get back to you promptly.

Endorsements

We are grateful for the support of these organisations which endorse this Knowledge Hub.

References

  • Butler MJ, Barrientos RM. The impact of nutrition on COVID-19 susceptibility and long-term consequences. Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Jul;87:53–4.

  • Davis HE, Assaf GS, McCorkell L, Wei H, Low RJ, Re’em Y, et al. Characterizing Long COVID in an International Cohort: 7 Months of Symptoms and Their Impact. medRxiv. 2021 Apr 5;2020.12.24.20248802.

  • National guidance for post-COVID syndrome assessment clinics (6 November 2020) [Internet]. Patient Safety Learning - the hub. [cited 2021 Jan 9]. Available from: https://www.pslhub.org/learn/coronavirus-covid19/guidance/national-guidance-for-post-covid-syndrome-assessment-clinics-6-november-2020-r3465/

  • Zabetakis I, Lordan R, Norton C, Tsoupras A. COVID-19: The Inflammation Link and the Role of Nutrition in Potential Mitigation. Nutrients. 2020 May 19;12(5):1466.