Consumption of berries every week can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's by 1/4.
A study found that people whose diets were rich in flavonoids found in berries, apples, tea and red wine were less at risk for neurodegenerative disease than those who consumed them infrequently.
Researchers at Harvard University and the University of East Anglia have tracked 130,000 men and women for 20 years. During this period, 800 of them developed Parkinson's disease.
After analyzing factors related to lifestyle, diet and others, the researchers concluded that participants who consumed the most flavonoids were 40% less at risk of developing Parkinson's than those who consumed the least.
Participants who ate berries at least once a week had a 25% lower risk of the disease.
Flavonoids are thought to have a protective effect against damage associated with aging, reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers.
This is the first human study to show that flavonoids can also protect brain cells. According to the scientists, anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoids, have a neuroprotective effect.
However, scientists note that the results need to be confirmed by other major epidemiological studies and clinical trials.
The study was conducted in the journal Neurology .