Two tropical fruits are able to protect us from the effects of Long Covid, the syndrome that can occur even months after being healed from Covid 19. We are talking about papaya, in the fermented version, and noni juice, which, as has been shown, reduce inflammation, support the immune system and improve the function of the brain, heart and lungs, which are weakened by viral infection. This is what emerges from a very recent scientific research published in the Nutrients journal by an international team (Kharaeva et al, Nutrients, 2022).
Covid and Long Covid
The new coronavirus infection is characterized by a significant increase in inflammation and oxidative stress levels. Inflammation and oxidative stress together cause the development of several disorders that can have a major impact on the patient's life, such as respiratory distress syndrome which decreases the concentration of oxygen in the blood, damage to the cardiovascular system and blood clots. But if the battle against acute infection can prove difficult, given the symptoms it entails, even convalescence may be very difficult in that syndrome which experts have also given a name, Long Covid. In fact, it is very common, even months after recovering from the viral infection, to still have symptoms, which are often debilitating, such as weakness, fatigue, headache, dyspnea, which can sometimes require the administration of oxygen, muscle and joint pain, brain fog, decreased attention and hair loss. Since these effects are linked to a high degree of inflammation and oxidative stress, the recommendation is to take vitamins, such as A, C, D, E, and mineral salts such as zinc, selenium and magnesium with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. However, science is constantly looking for other supplements or foods that can be included in the daily diet in order to strengthen the immune system and counteract both acute COVID 19 infection and Long Covid.
The benefits of fermented papaya and noni
Fermented papaya and noni juice, obtained from the fruits of the Moringa citrifolia plant and then fermented and pasteurized, are two interesting allies for health. In fact, these two fruits show probiotic and prebiotic properties, useful for the health of the intestinal microbiota and consequently of the immune system, they are antioxidant, antiobesity, antiviral, capable of regulating stress and improving memory. Given these characteristics, the scientists of the study we are talking about today wondered if fermented papaya and noni juice could also help in the case of Long Covid.
Fermented papaya and noni against Long Covid, the study
Scientists recruited 188 adults, aged 36 to 69, all recovering from severe or moderate COVID 19 infection caused by the delta or omicron variant. The participants in the study were divided into two groups, between those who had had to face a severe infection and those who had a moderate infection. Within each group, the volunteers were again divided into two groups, between those who had to take the supplement with fermented papaya in the morning and noni juice in the evening and those who had to receive a placebo. In any case, all volunteers underwent treatment for the symptoms of Long Covid, which included physical exercise, intake of vitamins, drugs to control blood sugar, anticoagulants and, in some cases, administration of oxygen. The study lasted 3 weeks and at the beginning and at the end the volunteers underwent medical examinations to evaluate the action of the two tropical fruits. What emerged was that fermented papaya and noni proved useful in countering the harmful effects of Long Covid. In particular, pro-inflammatory substances were reduced in those who had taken these supplements. Not only that, the tropical fruit supplements have led to an improvement in memory and attention, they have helped to reduce headache attacks but also anxiety and depression. The cardiovascular system has also benefited from the fermented fruit treatment, as the number of patients with arrhythmia has decreased. In addition to this, the number of those who had to resort to external oxygen administration also decreased. Not only that, the supplements improved blood flow and blood oxygen levels. Among those who had taken the fermented fruit, most were able, at the end of the three weeks of treatment, to perform moderate physical activity without interruption.
