Fruits for Parkinson’s Disease

Vegetables are rich in antioxidants and promote good health and well-being. Antioxidants can reduce the amount of dopamine cells lost within the body, help promote healing of cells, and are known to boost your immune system. If you are fighting Parkinson’s, antioxidants can really become the best medicine to combat the negative symptoms of the disease. Antioxidants are compounds produced in your body and found in foods. They help defend your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals. These harmful molecules can be found fried foods, alcohol, tobacco smoke, pesticides, air pollutants, and many more.

When free radicals accumulate, they may cause a state known as oxidative stress. This may damage your DNA and other important structures in your cells. Fortunately, eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help increase your blood antioxidant levels to fight oxidative stress.Fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, goji berries, strawberries, oranges and elderberries are very high in antioxidants

Fruits contain fibre and will help to prevent against constipation. Constipation is a common symptom of Parkinson’s which can cause severe discomfort and pain as well as problems with the intestines and bowels. Raspberries, avocados, dragon fruit and pears are great sources of fibre.

Bananas and dragon fruit are rich in magnesium. Eating foods that contain magnesium can help lessen the amount of muscle cramps and spasms that you have, and can also reduce anxiety, tremors, and insomnia. Bananas along with watermelon are great sources of dopamine as they contain high quantities of Tyrosine– the building block of dopamine.

Vitamin C has many positive effects on Parkinson’s and can help to reduce the symptoms. Many fruits are high in vitamin C and should be consumed daily. Vitamin C is essential for the brain development and has neuroprotective mechanisms for people with Parkinson’s. Fruits rich in vitamin C include Cantaloupes, Oranges, Kiwi, Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries.

What should I eat?

Parkinson’s Care and Support UK recommends that you eat ORGANIC FRUIT WHEREVER POSSIBLE. Unfortunately, agriculture of today is riddled with harmful pesticides and genetically modified crop. The exposure of certain pesticides which can be found in fruits have been proven to cause Parkinson’s. Although pesticides such as Paraquat have been banned in the UK, imported vegetables and fruit may have been produced using these toxic chemicals.