Recipe photo: Jen Causey.

The most common symptoms are fatigue, brain fog and post-exertional malaisebut more than 200 symptoms have been reported.

They published their findings in February 2025 inNutrients.Heres what they found.

a recipe photo of the Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls

Photo:Recipe photo: Jen Causey. EatingWell design.

How Was This Study Conducted?

Long COVID is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are also symptoms of other diseases or illnesses.

To make it even trickier, symptoms of long COVID can come and go.

So you might think youre over it, have a period of remission and then experience symptoms again.

Each participant had a physical examination and bloodwork was drawn and analyzed.

Individual cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed for each participant.

How Does This Apply to Real Life?

If you have long COVID, it might be worth evaluating your diet.

Can you start making some swaps to add in more whole foods?

Preventing metabolic syndrome may also lower your risk of long COVID, though its no guarantee.

Incorporatingfoods popular in the Mediterranean dietis a good place to start.

But thats not the only lifestyle area that counts.

World Health Organization.Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and Symptoms of Long COVID.