Nutrition is not an exact science, but it has uncovered some fundamental wisdom. Generally speaking we know we should eat mostly vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in whole grain. Most people also benefit from dairy products like milk and yogurt. We do not need as much red meat as many Americans typically consume. Most of us should avoid more fat and sugar.
Foods that contain antioxidants have received a lot of attention in the last few years. They contain good chemicals that help cleanse bad chemicals from the body. Foods high in antioxidants include walnuts, strawberries, pecans, blackberries, and unsweetened baking chocolate.
Blueberries contain compounds that can reduce inflammation in the central nervous system. Inflammation in the central nervous system is known to be a key issue in the the death of brain cells, and dietary intake of blueberries has been shown to alleviate mental decline associated with disease and aging.
It is too early to tell if eating blueberries can actually help someone with Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, it is one of those lifestyle choices that is not likely to do any harm, and has some chance of doing some good.
A study published by Thomas Kuhn, Ph.D., of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and his colleagues, have discovered that Alaska wild bog blueberries contain compounds that efficiently interfere with inflammatory processes in the central nervous system.
The study conducted in Kuhn's lab revealed an interaction between compounds in Alaska blueberries and a specific protein molecule in neuronal cells that reduces detrimental effects of inflammation. Understanding the interaction of these compounds could lead to the development of new drug therapies that would diminish inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
"Expanding our knowledge of natural products' health benefits and their molecular targets in the nervous system would improve preventative measures and potentially reveal new therapeutic strategies to alleviate inflammation in the brain and spinal cord," says Kuhn. Inflammation in the brain and spinal cord accompanies most chronic degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, or acute injuries including stroke and trauma. Moreover, inflammation is highly prevalent in psychiatric disorders such as depression and autism and is the result of the normal aging process.
This is very early science that has not yet been tested in humans. We'll continue to watch the science of blueberries. In the mean time feel free to include some in your diet.