LONDON: A UK university is launching a major study into the potential link between vitamin D and protection against coronavirus.

The 鈥淐oronavit trial鈥� will involve academics from Queen Mary University of London questioning whether increased vitamin D levels can lower the risk of winter respiratory infections, including coronavirus.

The project, funded by Barts Charity, a UK hospital fund, looks to test more than 5,000 people who will be sent vitamin D supplements by mail, avoiding the need for face-to-face contact.

鈥淭here is mounting evidence that vitamin D might reduce the risk of respiratory infections,鈥� said the study鈥檚 lead researcher Prof. Adrian Martineau.

鈥淰itamin D deficiency is more common in older people, in people who are overweight, and in black and Asian people 鈥� all the groups who are at increased risk of becoming ill from the coronavirus.鈥�

Dr. David Jolliffe, the project鈥檚 chief investigator, said the study has the potential to help the world battle the pandemic.

鈥淰itamin D supplements are low in cost, low in risk and widely accessible. If proven effective, they could significantly aid our global fight against the virus,鈥� he added.

The UK鈥檚 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said in June that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that vitamin D supplements work against coronavirus.

Vitamin D is often referred to as the 鈥渟unshine vitamin鈥� because the body creates it when exposed to sunlight.

It keeps bones, teeth and muscles in good shape by maintaining healthy calcium and phosphate levels.