Indigenous superfoods consumption, asymptomatic presentation and immunocompetence in young adults post COVID-19 pandemic – a cross-sectional study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Indigenous communities have unique traditional food systems. The traditional Khasi and Jaintia plates consist of both raw and cooked food items. Locally sourced herbs, tubers and plants are common in their food habits. Mustard greens, Indian pennywort, garlic chives, fish mint, turmeric tuber, chayote, ginger and garlic are some of the commonly used plant foods among these tribes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the consumption of indigenous superfoods and immunocompetence measured through micronutrient biomarkers. Informed consent and ethical clearance were obtained before the study. A web-based tool was constructed with sociodemographic information and a quantitative food frequency questionnaire on indigenous food consumption patterns. The 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess nutrient intake. The blood samples were estimated for SARS-CoV antibody levels and serum levels of vitamin C, zinc and selenium. A total of 553 participants completed the questionnaire. Less than ten percent of the study population had COVID-19. The asymptomatic presentation among the study population was predominant even after the pandemic. Greater intake of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein and fats was observed (p<0.05) in the study participants, with increased dietary intake of immunonutrients such as selenium and vitamin B6 (p<0.05). The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies indicated that all the patients were infected, yet the asymptomatic nature of the disease prevailed in 87.7% of the population. The indigenous foods ginger (Zingiber officinale) (p=0.032), garlic (Allium sativum) (p=0.023), turmeric tuber (Curcuma longa) (p=0.036), mustard leaves (Brassica juncea) (p=0.021) and dietary selenium intake (p=0.040) were positively associated with the serum levels of the micronutrients vitamin C and zinc. The indigenous foods ginger, turmeric tuber, and mustard leaves, along with high intakes of dietary sources of selenium and B6, have had a protective effect and have led to the asymptomatic presentation of COVID-19 infection in this tribal population.
Authors: Lakyntiew Pariat, S. Thilagamani
Institution: Avinashilingam University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128429969