Discussion
pneumonia, organ dysfunctions, COVID-19 disease, inflammation, COVID-19-related complications, sepsis
PNEUMONIA, INFLAMMATION, DISEASE, SEPSIS, DISEASES, COMPLICATIONS
We conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in COVID-19 patients to determine the effectiveness of a combination of functional foods on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and laboratory findings. Our research found beneficial effects of a soup containing functional foods in controlling serum levels of D-dimer, BUN, and Cr compared to a usual soup. The results also showed greater effectiveness of the functional foods containing soup in the improvement of some inflammatory markers, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-10, and TNF-α. Interesting to note, this study has found that soup containing functional foods has a beneficial effect on inflammatory markers as a dependent factor associated with COVID-19 disease severity [Vitamin C has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral features, which might improve general health conditions and thus help in the management of COVID-19 and its relevant complications like sepsis and pneumonia [Our soup also contains turmeric, a rich source of curcumin. It is a bright yellow chemical substance in plants that has been confirmed to have several properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-invasive, anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities in different diseases [High intake of dietary fiber may also contribute to the beneficial effects of the soup containing functional foods. It has been suggested that dietary fiber may reduce the risk of some diseases with systemic inflammation by mediating the pro-inflammatory process [Finally, the beneficial effects of intervened soup might be because of its quercetin content. It is a widely distributed plant flavonoid (flavanol), usually found in fruit, vegetables, leaves, seeds, and grains, that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, ant-viral, and immunomodulatory activities [In this study, the aim was to introduce a natural mixture that would alleviate COVID-19-related complications. The study had randomized double-blind design which increases the power of the study. In addition, the analyses were controlled for potential confounders. However, the study had some limitations. This study had short duration and did not differentiate between participants with mild and moderate disease. Also, due to ethical consideration, we were unable to have a group without any intervention. Moreover, a number of clinical findings, particularly those associated with organ dysfunctions, were not assessed.