Fruits and Vegetables, allies in the fight against Parkinson's disease

On International Parkinson's Day, we join the cause to raise awareness of this neurodegenerative disease that impacts millions of people around the world.

At Iberiana, we want to highlight a fundamental but often neglected aspect: the relationship between nutrition and Parkinson's. It is widely recognised that a balanced diet, rich in specific nutrients, can make a difference to overall health. It is widely recognised that a balanced diet, rich in specific nutrients, can make a difference to overall health.

In the fight against Parkinson's disease, research indicates that certain foods, particularly vegetablesplay a crucial role in prevention and symptom control.

Dopamine deficiency leads to impaired coordination of movements, slowing down and a feeling of weakness.

Medications such as levodopa, the metabolic precursor of dopamine, are used to address this. Therefore, any food that promotes the natural synthesis of dopamine in the body will help the progression of the disease.

As for fruits and vegetables, we highlight their importance as powerful allies due to their specific properties:

Tomato and banana: to stimulate dopamine secretion, it is essential to eat foods rich in tyrosine. In addition, bananas contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid and precursor of serotonin.
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli or chard, along with potatoes, pumpkin and fruits such as melon or kiwi, are excellent sources of magnesium and potassium. These minerals are extremely important for the nervous system, muscle relaxation and various bodily functions.

In summary, on this International Parkinson's Day, we have highlighted the importance of nutrition in the management of Parkinson's disease. We emphasised that a balanced diet, especially one rich in vegetables, can play a vital role in preventing and managing symptoms. By incorporating foods rich in tyrosine, tryptophan, magnesium and potassium, we can stimulate the production of key neurotransmitters and promote brain health in the important fight against Parkinson's disease.