Choosing a plant-based diet may diminish our risk of contracting respiratory infections and consequently hospitalizations from these illnesses.
This study compared the odds of contracting and being hospitalized from respiratory infections among consumers and non-consumers of plant foods. Data on diets and hospitalizations from respiratory infections were obtained from validated food frequency questionnaires and hospital records.
Researchers noted that consistent consumers of healthy plant foods were less likely to develop and end up in the hospital with respiratory infections. This study demonstrated that following a healthy plant-based diet may help boost our chances of evading respiratory infections.