Increasing resilience to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other health threats in food-insecure communities

  • Karen Morris
  • Thandi Puoane

Abstract

The health of the majority of South Africa’s population is seriously threatened by hunger and micronutrient deficiency, with impaired immune response a real threat, which the current SARSCoV-2 virus pandemic has highlighted. Traditional household food-processing techniques can, amongst other advantages, increase nutrient bioavailability in affordable staple foods and hence provide a way, in part, to alleviate malnutrition for food-insecure communities. In this way, immune defence and pathogen resilience of the food insecure could be enhanced so that they can better survive both COVID-19 and future threats.


Keywords: COVID-19, economic shocks, food insecurity, food security, health shocks, indigenous knowledge systems, malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, nutrient bioavailability, nutritional bioavailability, pathogen resilience, SARS-CoV-2

Published
2021-11-26
How to Cite
Morris, K., & Puoane, T. (2021). Increasing resilience to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other health threats in food-insecure communities. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 34(4), 161-162. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1579
Section
Letters to the Editor