Recent studies report that resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine, peanuts, pistachios, and dark-skinned berries, could help reduce the severity of Covid-19.

Scientists from Laval University (Canada) have shown through a study that resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant, increases the concentration of the protein ACE2. This can be found in the tissues of the digestive system and lungs and has been linked to a reduction in the severity of the acute respiratory distress syndrome that is sometimes associated with Covid-19.

That said, researcher Román Zinovkin from the Molecular Biology Laboratory of Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov explained that increasing the amount of ACE2 increases the probability that the virus will enter the cell. Also, Flip Kopylov, professor at the Department of Cardiology, Functional Diagnosis and Ultrasound at the University of Séchenov, pointed out that even though resveratrol is one of the agents that affect the concentration of ACE2, tests have only been done on animals so far and the effect in humans is not guaranteed to be the same.

According to an article by Lucia Malaguarnera, a researcher at the University of Catania (Italy), the antioxidant has a suppressive effect on the cells of the immune system, which is crucial for this research and has a beneficial effect on respiratory difficulties.

Additional research has suggested that resveratrol exhibits inhibitory effects on virus replication in some viruses, including herpes simplex and the coronavirus. Although it’s still too early to suggest that resveratrol can treat this new virus, these research results are significant and do demonstrate that resveratrol could possibly be developed as a potential treatment for coronavirus and other diseases caused by coronavirus according to experts.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s important to note that much more research needs to be done and until those results come are released, the effects of resveratrol on coronavirus remain uncertain.

However, what we do know for sure is that there certainly seems to be no harm in enjoying a glass of red wine and if we’re lucky, it may even do us some good. 

Another of the nutrients that are positive and helps provide more and more strength to tackle Covid-19, is vitamin D.

Vitamin D and its efficacy in patients with Covid-19 is becoming the ally of scientists and health workers this year. Numerous previous studies have shown a direct relationship between vitamin D and people infected with Coronavirus.

The majority of patients with Covid-19 have a common denominator: a lack of vitamin D. According to a study carried out by the University of Cantabria during the pandemic, 80% of patients with Coronavirus have a vitamin D deficiency.

Recently, several studies carried out in Spain have shown that 50% of the Spanish population shows vitamin D deficiencies. A percentage that increases to 80% in people over 80 years of age. Something to keep in mind...

Last July, Spain introduced the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjero) for foreign residents, a biometric credit card-sized photo ID that replaces the previously issued green EU residency A4 certificate or the small green residency card.

However, it's important to remember that for UK citizens who have already been registered as residents in Spain and are in possession of either of the green residency documents, the TIE card is of course optional.

That’s because both of these ‘residencia’ documents - whether temporary (less than 5 years of residence) or permanent (more than 5 years) - already guarantee British residents rights in Spain under the Withdrawal Agreement. That said, it is certainly an advantage to get one. Up until now those with only the green A4 sheet had no way of proving their identity legally without carrying their passport -  a Spanish driving license, although in most cases suffices, it is not a legal form of identification. So basically, we now have a legal ID card available meaning we can leave our passports at home once and for all. So what's not to like about it?

How do UK citizens who are already registered in Spain apply for a TIE and thus swap their Green A4 certificate for a photo ID card?

I have put together this document to show the steps you need to go through. It is shown with Valencia as an example, as I am based here, but it will work for any city in Spain. The procedure is the same. Just click on the link and download the document.

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