Most meals will not affect the nucleic acid results, but it is recommended to fast 2 hours before taking the nucleic acid to prevent irritation of the back wall of the pharynx causing vomiting.
Normal meals will not affect the nucleic acid results, however, nucleic acid testing uses a throat swab or nasopharyngeal swab to take samples by collecting secretions from the throat or nasal cavity, and after eating, the swab will irritate the back wall of the throat, causing nausea and discomfort in the throat, which will easily cause stomach contents to be vomited. Therefore, it is generally recommended that you do not eat 2 hours before the nucleic acid collection and eat normally after the collection.
It should be noted that smoking, drinking alcohol and chewing gum are not recommended before nucleic acid collection, as they may affect the secretion of saliva and the result of nucleic acid.