ArticleHeliyon2021
Use of vitamin/zinc supplements, medicinal plants, and immune boosting drinks during COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study from Benha city, Egypt.
Article in Heliyon, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed.
- Vitamin D supplement use in Egypt and Jordan and associated factors: A survey-based study.PloS one · 2026Article
- Knowledge, attitudes, and prevalence of vitamin C intake among the general population of the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Regional Agriculture and Food Systems Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of the Near East and North Africa Region.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Seroprevalence and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in middle-sized cities of Burkina Faso: A descriptive cross-sectional study.PloS one · 2024Article
- Score of fear of COVID-19 and physical activity level are related to the habitual consumption of dietary supplements.PloS one · 2024Article
- The impact of vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc supplements on immune status among Jordanian adults during COVID-19: cross-sectional study findings.BMC public health · 2023Article
- Applications of Dietary Supplements and Aromatherapy for Prophylactic and Treatment Purposes During COVID-19 Pandemic.Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences · 2023Article
- Article
- Dietary Supplement Consumption and Mental Health in Indonesian Adults During Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic.Patient preference and adherence · 2023Article
- Dietary Supplementation Practices Among Undergraduate Students in Greece During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with COVID-19-related Anxiety.Materia socio-medica · 2023Article
- Practice and knowledge of dietary supplement consumption among Indonesian adults post-delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.F1000Research · 2023Article
- Usage of nutritional supplements to improve immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey.Clinical nutrition open science · 2022Article
- Prevalence, pattern and predictors of self-medication for COVID-19 among residents in Umuahia, Abia State, Southeast Nigeria: policy and public health implications.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2022Article
- Effect of natural products use prior to infection with COVID-19 on disease severity and hospitalization: A self-reported cross-sectional survey study.F1000Research · 2022Article
- Self-Medication Practices in Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2022Article
- Role of ethno-phytomedicine knowledge in healthcare of COVID-19: advances in traditional phytomedicine perspective.Beni-Suef University journal of basic and applied sciences · 2022Review
- Prevalence and predictors of self-medication drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19: Experience from a Middle Eastern country.International journal of clinical practice · 2021Article
- Consumption of Phenolic-Rich Food and Dietary Supplements as a Key Tool in SARS-CoV-19 Infection.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Review
- Psychological effects on self-medication during the pandemic COVID-19 in WP Labuan: A development of questionnaire and pilot-testing.Pharmacy practiceArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 infection is characterized by a wide spectrum of severity that ranges from mild to severe lethal symptoms. The optimal status of vitamins and minerals in the body is important to maintain proper immune response to overcome infections including COVID-19. Certain foods and medicinal plants have been shown to boost the immune system.
objectivesIn the current study, the use of vitamin and zinc supplements, medicinal plants, honey, garlic, and immune-boosting drinks among Egyptian living in Benha city were investigated during the corona pandemic.
methodsAn online questionnaire was distributed through Google forms. A total of 301 adult participants (age range: 18-82) from Benha city, Egypt were included in the study. The Chi2 goodness of fit test was used to determine the differences in the distribution of the participant responses.
resultsThe use of vitamin C and D were reported by 27% and 17.7% of participants. About one-third of participants reported the use of immune-boosting drinks, honey, and garlic during the pandemic to strengthen the body immunity. The use of
conclusionThe uses of supplements, medicinal plants, and immune-boosting drinks to strengthen the immune system during the pandemic were common among the participants. The present findings may help comprehend some health practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic that might be considered by health policymakers.
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