Can tannic acid inhibit the new coronavirus? Red wine and nuts are great too! Nutritionists recommend 6 healthy eating methods

In addition to cleaning and disinfection and wearing masks, epidemic prevention should also start by strengthening one's own immunity. Various foods or health care products that help fight viruses are topics of concern to everyone. Medical research has pointed out that tannic acid can effectively inhibit the new coronavirus and reduce the chance of viral invasion. Tannic acid is generally believed to be present in red wine, but in fact it is also widely present in nuts, fruits and vegetables. Nutritionists provide 6 tips for healthy intake of tannins, so you can eat smartly to prevent the epidemic and get more help in fighting the virus.

Study finds: Tannic acid can inhibit the spread of new coronavirus

Why can tannic acid inhibit the new coronavirus? Nutritionist Lin Yuwei pointed out that a study published in the American Journal of Cancer Research in 2020 by Professor Hong Mingqi of China Medical University mentioned that tannic acid reduces the entry of the virus into cells by inhibiting the protease of SARS-CoV-2, and has the potential to fight inflammation and prevent infection. But the effective dose in that study was high, which is difficult to achieve through a whole-food diet.

Nutritionist Lin Yuwei recommends that a balanced diet combined with an appropriate intake of foods containing tannic acid can achieve a certain effect in maintaining good health! In fact, tannic acid is not only found in red wine, but also commonly found in nuts, fruits and vegetables, berries, sorghum, dry beans, spices, tea and coffee. The following is a list of the main food sources containing tannic acid and the recommended selection items for your reference:

List of 6 major categories of foods containing tannic acid

(Tannic acid content per 100g of food)

Nuts

Walnuts 1400mg, sunflower seeds 120mg, almonds 43mg.

vegetable

Spinach 20mg, water spinach 19mg, purple onion 10mg.

fruit

Apple 160mg, banana 40mg, mung bean 140mg.

Berries

Blackberry 390mg, blueberry 80mg, raspberry 70mg.

Drinks

Coffee 360ml/cup - 198mg (high in caffeine), green tea 500ml/cup - 170mg, cocoa 250ml/cup - 103mg, red wine 150ml/cup - 15-32mg (alcohol should be used with caution).

spices

Cinnamon 50mg, Clove 95mg, Turmeric 34mg.

About 1 tablespoon of nuts per day can supplement tannic acid.

Before taking tannic acid from food, let’s first understand what the characteristics of tannic acid are? Tannic acid is a water-soluble polyphenol that will dissolve in water. If combined with protein, the absorption effect of tannic acid will be reduced. Tannic acid will also inhibit the absorption of iron. It is recommended to master 6 healthy eating methods to consume smartly and effectively.

Get tannins from food: 6 healthy ways to get them

1. Eat nuts: about 1 tablespoon per day

2. Blanch leafy vegetables and eat immediately: Do not overcook

3. Spices in cooking: curry rice, cinnamon, cocoa

4. Eat fresh fruits: berries

5. Drink green tea or coffee after meals: 1.5 hours after meals

6. Avoid eating with red meat and seafood

Nutritionist Lin Yuwei reminds that if you are a red wine fan and want to take in tannic acid from red wine, please drink it in moderation. Boys should not drink more than 320ml (about 2 glasses of red wine) a day, and girls should not drink more than 160ml (about 1 glass of red wine). This is to maintain health and take into account personal preferences.

Nutritionist Lin Yuwei Facebook