Research: Tannic acid can fight against the new coronavirus! Nutritionist reveals: Grapes, red quinoa, and oleic acid are great for boosting immunity

To fight against COVID-19, we must first block the lock that opens the human body, namely the ACE2 receptor, and the auxiliary role of transmembrane serine protease 2 (transmembrane protein), to prevent the virus from entering human cells and infecting them. There have been some breakthrough discoveries in domestic research, including the discovery of a special extracted substance in Taiwan's local tea that may inhibit the proliferation of the new coronavirus, and the first discovery that tannic acid can inhibit two proteases of the new coronavirus, both of which have opened up new opportunities for future drug research.

Research: Tannic acid can fight against the new coronavirus! Published in the world-renowned journal American Journal of Cancer Research

Recently, a research team from China Medical University published the latest medical research results against COVID-19, discovering for the first time that tannic acid can inhibit two proteases of the coronavirus. This result was published in the world-renowned journal "American Journal of Cancer Research", which makes people curious, what is "tannic acid"? Which foods in our diet are rich in tannins?

A scientific research team led by Hong Mingqi, an academician of the Academia Sinica and president of China Medical University, published the latest anti-coronavirus medical research results. It was discovered for the first time that tannic acid can dually inhibit the main protease of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), inhibiting the activity of the virus, that is, the ability to enter host cells, in a two-pronged approach. This study shows that tannic acid is highly forward-looking in the development of anti-COVID-19 treatment.

Tannic acid is a phytochemical found in the plant kingdom and is a water-soluble polyphenol.

The research focuses on natural compounds in common fruits and foods, and explores their effectiveness in fighting coronavirus. This study shows that it can inhibit viral activity (the ability to enter host cells). What exactly is tannic acid? Nutritionist Li Wanping said that it is a phytochemical existing in the plant kingdom and is a water-soluble polyphenol. There is a bitter taste when drinking red wine, and there is also a bitter taste when eating grape skins. These are all the tastes of tannins.

Research: Tannic acid can fight against the new coronavirus! Published in the world-renowned journal American Journal of Cancer Research.

(Photo courtesy of Li Wanping’s Nutrition World Facebook page)

Which foods are rich in tannic acid? Grapes, red quinoa, persimmons, bananas, cranberries, and ham can all be found

As for, which foods are rich in tannic acid? Nutritionist Li Wanping said that grapes, quinoa, persimmons, bananas, cranberries, and emblica oleracea can be found in common diets in Taiwan. Polyphenol compounds are not only well-known antioxidants and free radical scavengers, but a large number of recent studies have also confirmed that tannic acid can inhibit the metabolism, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells, and has anti-inflammatory effects. It is a preventive and therapeutic compound against cancer.

Which foods are rich in tannic acid? Nutritionist Li Wanping said that grapes, quinoa, persimmons, bananas, cranberries, and emblica oleracea can be found in common diets in Taiwan.

Take the relatively unfamiliar emblica as an example. The fresh fruit tastes sour at first but then becomes sweet, which can quench thirst, so it is also called "emblica emblica". In addition to tannins, it also contains rich natural vitamin C, which can simultaneously enhance immunity. Now there is freeze-dried fresh fruit powder of olea crucifera, which can be added directly into water or juice for drinking, helping to easily increase protection.

However, it is not advisable to consume any food in excess. It is recommended that during the epidemic prevention stage, in order to enhance immunity, you may wish to moderately increase the intake of these foods. Of course, what is more important is that we still need to pay attention to a balanced intake of the six major types of nutrients in our daily diet, and eat a variety of colorful foods to build the body's immune protection shield.