Saudi Knowledge and Awareness of Drinking Tea as Natural Fighter Against COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: Stressful period as COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine affect human health indirectly by weakening the immune system which lead to increase the risk of having viral infection. Tea in all its kind considered as a strong antioxidant that helps to enhance the immune system and body defense against COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of participants toward the benefits of drinking tea during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional study including 2368 participants who answered a structured survey. The survey had some information about basic demographic characteristics including age, education, gender, physical examination level, and place of residence. The second part of the survey will be measuring knowledge about drinking different kind of tea to booster immunity against COVID-19. Results: Both gender have participate in this study with a ratio of 2:1 female more than male both within the age group of 30–50 years and 76.4% have higher educational level, 78.2% married and majority 55.8% and 30.4% from central and western areas of Saudi, respectively. The majority 69% consider drinking tea is part of their daily habit and mostly 44.3% drinking black tea, with 15% increase of tea consumption during the quarantine and that consumption increased to more than five cups a day by 2.2%. Regarding the source of knowledge about immune boosting benefits of tea majority specified their source is self-developed, family tradition and media during the quarantine period. The association between body mass index (BMI) and drinking tea showed strong significance among normal overweight groups and statistical significance of increase consumption related to high BMI categories. Conclusion: Saudi traditional tea drinking habit and knowledge of health benefits of such a routine have helped them during the threatening time as COVID-19 pandemic and stressing time of quarantine.