Nutrition and Immune Response in Viral Infections
Summary
Nutrition exerts a fundamental influence on both innate and adaptive immunity, shaping the host’s capacity to prevent and resolve viral infections. Adequate intake of macronutrients sustains the energetic demands of immune cells, while specific micronutrients—vitamins A, C, D and E, B-complex vitamins, zinc, iron, selenium and copper—are essential co-factors in barrier maintenance, cell proliferation, cytokine synthesis and antioxidant defence. Diets rich in polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fibre further modulate inflammatory pathways and support a beneficial microbiome, enhancing mucosal resistance to pathogens. Conversely, insufficiencies or imbalances may impair epithelial integrity, reduce antibody production, dysregulate T-cell function and prolong viral clearance. Emerging evidence also highlights the impact of overall dietary patterns, with plant-forward and Mediterranean models associated with lower susceptibility to severe outcomes in respiratory viral diseases. Recognising global disparities in nutrient status, particularly among older adults, individuals with chronic conditions and populations in low-resource settings, underscores the need for tailored public-health strategies. Practical applications range from population-level dietary guidelines to targeted supplementation in at-risk groups, aiming to optimise immune resilience against current and future viral threats.
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Nutrition and Immune Response in Viral Infections publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nutrition and immune response in viral infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Innate immunity: The body’s first line of defence against pathogens, involving barrier functions and non-specific cellular responses.
Adaptive immunity: A targeted immune response mediated by T and B lymphocytes, characterised by specificity and memory.
Micronutrients: Vitamins and trace elements required in small amounts to support enzymatic reactions and immune cell function.
Oxidative burst: Rapid production of reactive oxygen species by phagocytes to kill invading microbes.
Cytokines: Signalling proteins released by immune cells that regulate inflammation and cell communication.
Mendelian randomisation: A genetic epidemiology approach that uses inherited variants to assess causal effects of exposures on outcomes.
Dietary patterns: Composite measures of habitual food consumption reflecting overall diet quality and nutrient interactions.
References
- Diet Quality and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection or COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies. Advances in Nutrition (2023).
- Circulating levels of micronutrients and risk of infections: a Mendelian randomization study. BMC Medicine (2023).
- A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System–Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection. Nutrients (2020).
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