Those following the diet have much lower rates of the pre-existing conditions that increase risk

The virus has infected more than 2,000,000 people worldwide (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

A plant-based diet can offer protection against COVID-19, according to an infectious disease specialist.

COVID-19 - also known as the coronavirus - is widely understood to have originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. Since then it has spread globally, killing more than 133,000 people at the time of writing.

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Infectious disease expert

Now plant-based doctor, Dr. Michael Greger, who has a background in infectious disease, has spoken exclusively to Plant Based News about the pandemic, and how a plant-based diet can play a preventative role.

An internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues, Dr. Greger is the author of Bird Flu: A Virus Of Our Own Hatching, which looks at infectious diseases and human's role in them - as well as how we can protect ourselves.

Plant-based diet and coronavirus

"A plant-based diet offers protection against COVID-19 because we have so much lower rates of the pre-existing conditions that increase your risk," he told PBN.

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"Hypertension, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes. These are the diseases that are dramatically lower among those who eat a healthy, whole food, plant-based diet."

Online conference

Dr. Greger will be speaking at a free online health conference later this month.

The Annual Food Revolution Summit, which runs from April 25 - May 3, brings together a host of top health experts who will discuss diet and health issues.

According to the founders, attendees will 'get the most up-to-date research and information about food, nutrition, disease prevention, immune health, and environmental stewardship'.

You can find out more about the FREE summit, and sign up for your place, here