Baskets filled with acai berries (illustration).
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SIPANY / SIPA
Canadian researchers are currently studying the acai berry as a possible treatment for the more severe symptoms of the coronavirus.
According to previous studies, extracts from this fruit can reduce inflammation, a scientist said on Monday.
Since the start of the pandemic, experts have indeed noticed that Covid-19 can cause acute inflammation and lead to health complications.
But this berry, from a palm tree native to Central and South America, could help.
Control strong inflammations
Michael Farkouh and Ana Andreazza, researchers at the University of Toronto, have been examining the effect of this berry on the inflammatory response for five years now.
They decided to test its effectiveness against the coronavirus.
"It's a simple test," says Michael Farkouh.
“But the acai berries are inexpensive and readily available to everyone, are safe, so it was worth a try.
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Experts have recruited 580 patients who tested positive for coronavirus in Canada and Brazil.
Half of the patients received doses of the experimental drug, the other half a placebo.
The researchers hope that early intervention with the berry extract will prevent the virus' most harmful symptoms, which is potentially fatal.
The berry extract is indeed targeting the same group of proteins, called the NLRP3 inflammasome, as the coronavirus, explains Michael Farkouh.
Once activated, these proteins fight infections and stress.
The study is set to last 30 days and its results will be released at the end of 2020.
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