Mediterranean diet cuts risk of Parkinson's by almost half
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According to the results of a new study, eating a Mediterranean diet can reduce the danger of Parkinson's disease by nearly half.
Every year 10,000 people in Britain are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It causes shaking and muscular problems, and is caused when brain cells responsible for controlling movement die.
The research, carried out by a team at the University of Tokyo, found that eating foods such as fruit, vegetables and fish decreased the risk of the degenerative disease by 46%.
The study, which was published in the European Journal of Neurology, compared the diets of 249 people with the condition against 368 people who did not have Parkinson's.
The results showed the people with the healthiest diets - rich in fish, pulses and vegetables - had the lowest risk of developing the disease.
Although the study did not ascertain why the Mediterranean-style diets had the most protective effect, it could be because antioxidants in vegetables, fruit and fish protect brain cells from damage.
The researchers wrote: "A dietary pattern consisting of high intakes of vegetables, fruits and fish may be associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease."
Do you think a Med diet is all its cracked up to be or not? Let us know below...
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- Tomato soup<p> Store-bought soups are often packed with hidden salt, so buy your own fresh veggies and make a tasty tomato soup (an especially welcome treat in the cold winter months). Top it off with some yoghurt for added flavour.</p>
- Couscous salad<p> Trying to be healthy by eating spinach leaves every day is pretty uninspiring, so skip the leafy salad one day and try a couscous and Mediterranean vegetable version instead. It only takes five minutes to cook, and you can keep it exciting by swapping the veg for beans and nuts to amp up the protein.</p>
- Falafel and pitta sandwich<p> If you're craving the taste of something fried, a baked falafel and hummous sandwich is a high-protein option that's veggie-friendly, tastes delicious and has more nutritional value than any fried fast food alternative. Add some tomatoes and lettuce to garnish and finish off with a low-fat Greek yoghurt.</p>
- Bean salad<p> For a low-cal, high-protein lunch with lots of flavour, try a bean salad. You can toss a few different bean varieties together (like cannellini, garbanzo and kidney, for example), mix tuna and white beans for a winning combo or team beans with brown rice and goat or feta cheese.</p>
- Chicken mango wrap<p> There's a misconception that healthier options aren't as flavoursome as their highly caloric counterparts. This chicken and mango wrap packs a lot of flavour into an easy meal - just add some peppers and avocado to tantalise your tastebuds. Or try another protein/veg combo wrap with pesto or salsa instead of your usual mayo-filled sandwich. </p>
