Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Nutrition Committee, a scientific advisory arm of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has issued a statement airing its opinions and scientific nutritional recommendations to help combat the Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) pandemic and reduce its negative effects on society, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The committee recently held an extraordinary virtual meeting chaired by chairman of the National Nutrition Committee and CEO of the SFDA Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhaei. The meeting deliberated on the committee’s scientific statement containing most prominent recommendations and opinions.

The move aims to put an end to all kinds of rumors and false nutritional information which are not based on scientific evidence and research work on coronavirus.

The statement refuted all false claims with regard to impact of the virus on pregnant and breastfeeding women, and on the elderly and children, and the relationship of balanced food to infection prevention.

The statement stressed that there are no specific foods proven to significantly enhance immunity and prevent infection with the virus, but it stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy and balanced food and drinking sufficient quantities of water.

According to the statement, there is no scientific evidence that pregnant women are at greater risk than others of infection or that even if they contract this virus — God forbid — it will lead to health problems during pregnancy or affect the health of the child after birth.

On the impact of coronavirus on the elderly and children, the statement said that it is related to progress of life resulting in chronic diseases and changes in their immune system, which makes it difficult for their bodies to resist chronic diseases and infection, thus increasing their susceptibility to the virus.

According to the available scientific evidence, it does not seem that children are more likely than adults to be infected with the virus. On the contrary there are less cases of infection recorded in children as compared to adults so far.

The full scientific statement of the National Nutrition Committee and its recommendations on the coronavirus Pandemic COVID-19) can be found at https://www.sfda.gov.sa/ar/food/Documents/baian-sfda.pdf.