A number of Indian websites have started to cite research from the North Carolina State University which claims that some substances including ‘dark chocolate’ prevent COVID.
We decided not to link to any of the research or stories here to avoid giving any credibility to the reports, which we consider irresponsible journalism, and potentially dangerous to anyone impressionable enough to take it at face value.
The research may have been well-intentioned, or perhaps an attempt to get a paper published – something that is important for many researchers careers. However, it is clear that these are not clinical trials, and testing has been limited to ‘Lab Simulations’.
For the study, the researchers performed both computer simulations and lab studies to show the reaction of the main protease (Mpro) in the SARS-CoV-2 virus with several different plant chemical compounds already known for their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
What the Researchers are Claiming
The researchers from the North Carolina State University claimed that chemical compounds in green tea, dark chocolate, and muscadine grapes, among others can block a protease of SARS-CoV-2, and prevent infection.
They explain that the proteases are important for the vitality of cells and viruses, and that inhibited cells that cannot perform many important functions including replication.
The angle of the researchers appears to be to block replication of the cells therefore. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science.
How it is Being Reported
The problem is that a lot of the readers of the Indian news sites will not dig into the science, they’ll simply associate dark chocolate with a COVID cure. Considering the slow rollout of vaccines in India and the rate the infection is spreading, desperate people may jump at anything they see might help.
Although eating chocolate won’t cause them any harm directly, the danger is that it may make people less likely to use other precautions such as wearing masks, social distancing and good hygiene. Most of the websites we saw covering this story were published in India – one headline, for example, read:
Coronavirus: Dark chocolate, green tea and grapes can protect you from COVID-19, claims study.
We debated whether to write this story. In the end, we decided that we should publish, but with a clear headline making it clear what our position is.
