Berries Proven to Prevent Parkinson’s, Reduce Inflammation, Fight Infection
Once again, scientists have affirmed the healing and preventative benefits of berries. According to a press release from the American Academy of Neurology, a study has substantiated that consuming berries can be an excellent treatment for parkinson’s disease, along with many other health ailments.
Berries as a Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
The study looked at nearly 50,000 men and over 80,000 women over a period of 20 to 22 years. They surveyed all participants about their food intake and tracked them for Parkinson’s disease. What they found was that the men who ate the most flavonoids had the lowest incidence of Parkinson’s. Also, the men and women who ate the most berries had lower risk of the disease.
Flavanoids are compounds present in fruits and vegetables. Fight disease and aging, these powerful antioxidants can be found in berries, chocolates, and red wine.
During the study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, 805 people developed Parkinson’s. The men who consumed the most flavonoids (in the top 20%) saw a risk reduction of 40 percent. In women, there was no link. However, when researchers looked strictly at berry consumption, both men and women experienced a lower risk of Parkinson’s diagnosis with increased consumption.
Other Benefits of Berries
Flavanoids aren’t only beneficial for reducing the likelihood of this disease, they are said to:
- Protect arterial (blood vessel) health
- Prevent oxidative cellular damage
- Reduce inflammation
- Fight infection
- Increase vitamin C availability
The best part about consuming berries is that no matter which type of berry you love, you can experience wonderful health benefits. Rich in fiber, strawberries greatly help digestion to work properly, which is essential for proper immune function. Another example, blueberries greatly inhibit the development of fat cells thanks to polyphenols. A study found that a high dose of polyphenols shed down fat cells by 73 percent in mice and a lose does reduced fat cell count by 27 percent in mice.
Also rich in resveratrol and other antioxidants, berries have a variety of other benefits. They:
- Help prevent cancer
- Are among foods that improve memory
- Fight Alzheimer’s
- Aid in weight loss
- Reduce inflammation
Considered by many to be superfoods, berries are the way to go when looking for a healthful convenient snack food alternative. Don’t forget to check out the health benefits of strawberries and the benefits of blueberries!
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