Study Finds Link Between Seaweed and Parkinson's Prevention

Parkinson's disease affects hundreds of thousands of Americans today, and every person's road to developing the condition doesn't look the same. The same can be said for those who go on to live life without experiencing the onset of the disease. 

A recent study published in the Nutrients journal found an interesting correlation between the consumption of seaweed and the development or Parkinson's disease—or rather, the lack of developing the ailment. Researchers in Japan discovered that antioxidants in seaweed could protect our neurons from free radicals that could lead to neurological degeneration. This, in turn, could help stave off the onset of Parkinson's. 

To do this, scientists looked at the neuroprotective properties of polyphenols in ecklonia cava, a type of seaweed found off the coast of Japan and Korea. Specifically, they looked at these compounds' ability to "mitigat[e] neuronal damage induced by rotenone. By exposing mice to the pesticide rotenone, scientists were able to recreate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease among test subjects. 

"These findings suggest that ecklonia cava polyphenols [have] a preventative effect on Parkinson's disease," the team concluded in their paper. 

Related: MF Super Food: Seaweed

It's not the only study to have produced similar results. Researchers in the past have found links between dietary antioxidants and Parkinson's. A 2020 study found that resveratol, which is found in plants and fruits like grapes, berries, and peanuts, protected the brain's dopamine-producing neurons from death

Another 2020 study found that ellagic acid, alpha-lipoic acid, and myrtenal all improved neuromuscular coordination in mice. Ellagic acid is found in fruits and vegetables like grapes, pomegranates, berries, and nuts. Alpha-lipoc acid can be found in red meat, spinach, and broccoli. And myrtenal is found in plants like hyssop and sage. Studies have also shown that drinking tea can help prevent Parkinson's, possibly because of the antioxidants that tea contains. 

A well-balanced diet is essential for much more than just physical health as you age.