Today, roughly one million people in the U.S.—and more than 10 million worldwide—suffer from Parkinson’s disease (PD).
With this devastating neurodegenerative disease, the brain doesn’t make enough of an important neurotransmitter called dopamine. This can cause stiffness, tremors, and problems with balance.
While the condition isn’t fatal, it does tend to shorten a person’s life.
But according to a brand-new study published in the prestigious journal Neurology, there may be one, simple, ENJOYABLE way for men and women with PD to improve their survival rates.
It involves upping their intake of one powerful plant compound…and it can be found in certain colorful fruits and red wine!
Let’s get this important information into your hands…
Protection from a powerful plant compound
Researchers looked at flavonoid intake in more than 1,200 men and women newly diagnosed with PD.
As I’ve reported before, flavonoids are highly nutritious plant compounds found in red wine…and bright, colorful fruits and vegetables—including berries, grapes, oranges, and peppers.
They act as antioxidants, wiping out harmful free radicals in the body. They also lower chronic inflammation, which, if left unchecked, can be especially damaging to the brain and neurological system.
Plus, previous research shows that flavonoids provide SIGNIFICANT PROTECTION against cognitive decline. This effect on the brain may explain why they’re so helpful for PD patients, too…
Flavonoid-rich diet may extend longevity
For this new investigation, researchers asked the PD patients about their consumption of flavonoid-rich foods and beverages every four years over an average period of 34 years.
During that time, about 75 percent of the patients died, including 513 from PD.
However, compared to those who consumed the least amount of flavonoid-rich foods, the men and women who ate the most flavonoid-rich foods had a staggering 70 percent higher chance of survival!
For reference, the people in the study who ate the most flavonoid-rich foods had a daily intake of about 673 mg of flavonoids per day. Those who ate the least flavonoid-rich foods had a daily intake of about 134 mg per day.
Now, look at the amount of flavonoids in just one serving of certain foods and wines:
- Red wine: 200 mg
- Dark chocolate: 170 mg
- Strawberries: 80 mg
- Apple: 113 mg
So—you can see how someone with PD can easily reach the highest levels in this study by simply enjoying a glass or two of red wine each day (which aligns with my recommendation of moderate consumption), a square of dark chocolate after dinner, and some berries or an apple for breakfast or as a snack.
The researchers also found that certain types of flavonoids—especially anthocyanins and flavanols—had a particularly strong effect on survival rates. And by upping your flavonoid intake, it may even prevent you from getting this dreaded disease in the first place!
Of course, flavonoids offer an astounding range of health benefits…beyond just protection against PD. In fact, we know eating enough of them protects you against just about every chronic disease in the book, including cancer and dementia!
To learn more about the many remarkable and “unexpected” health benefits of enjoying red wine (and other flavonoid-rich foods), check out the May 2022 issue of Insiders’ Cures (“Raise your glass to wine’s three unexpected health benefits”). If you’re not yet a subscriber, now is the perfect time to get started!