A new study finds that people who eat a healthy plant-based diet have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Plant-based diets continue to receive widespread attention for their ongoing health benefits, and recently there has been an increased focus on protecting brain health. a recent study Research published in August 2023 explored the relationship between a plant-based eating pattern and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers concluded that people who eat a healthy plant-based diet have a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. In particular, those who ate high-quality plant-based foods had a 22% lower risk, and those who ate the most vegetables had a 28% lower risk. However, those who consumed large amounts of unhealthy plant-based foods had a 38% higher risk.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Nearly 90,000 cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed in the United States each year. Parkinson’s disease occurs due to damage to nerve cells. Due to damage, dopamine levels drop. People with Parkinson’s disease also lose the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, a brain chemical messenger that regulates cognitive function, stress, heart rate and blood pressure. Decreased dopamine levels are associated with impaired movement and muscle coordination. That’s why people with Parkinson’s disease may have tremors in their hands, arms, legs, or jaw that interfere with movement. Low levels of norepinephrine can cause symptoms unrelated to exercise, such as depression, fatigue, sudden drops in blood pressure, and constipation.
What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease? Researchers believe it’s a combination of genetics and exposure to toxins. Some risk factors include family history, age (as people age, they are at higher risk), gender (men are more susceptible than women), and increased exposure to toxins such as pesticides.
What did the research find?
The study looked specifically at the healthfulness of plant-based eating plans that people followed and its relationship to Parkinson’s disease. Participants in the study included 126,283 UK participants between 2006 and 2010. Their dietary information was assessed using the Oxford WebQ Diet Questionnaire. They were asked about about 200 foods and 30 drinks they had consumed in the past 24 hours. Participation in the study required at least two dietary recalls over a period of 11.8 years.
Food diary entries are divided into healthy plant foods, unhealthy plant foods, and animal foods. The healthy plant-based group consists of individuals who eat primarily whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, vegetarian protein alternatives, and tea and coffee. Unhealthy plant-based diets are categorized by juices, refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, candy and desserts. The study did not collect any data related to drinking. Plant index scores for recall were calculated. Score range is 17-85.
Evaluate and rank diary entries based on health status. The study concluded that people who eat a healthy plant-based diet have a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. People who ate the most healthy plant-based foods had a 22% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, while those who ate more unhealthy plant-based foods had a 38% increased risk. People in the highest quintile of vegetable intake had a 28% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than those in the lowest quintile. Researchers found statistically significant evidence that increased intake of vegetables, nuts and green tea could reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Why are plant-based foods good?
Scientists speculate that the first manifestations of Parkinson’s disease are in the gastrointestinal system, where symptoms later appear. Gut dysbiosis (when the gut loses beneficial bacteria) may cause neuroinflammation, leading to Parkinson’s disease. A plant-based diet is rich in polyphenols and fiber, which promotes gut biodiversity. Highly processed foods are often not nutrient-dense, so they don’t have the same effects as whole plant-based foods. The main takeaway is to keep incorporating quality plants into your diet! They taste delicious and there are many health benefits to doing this.
Read more about The study is here.
Read more about the latest research on the benefits of a plant-based diet here: