Mediterranean Diet in Youth May Lower Parkinson's Risk for Women | Quick Digest
New research suggests that women who adhere to a Mediterranean diet in their younger years and midlife may significantly reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease before age 71. This global health finding highlights the diet's neuroprotective benefits, particularly for women.
Mediterranean diet adherence in younger women linked to reduced Parkinson's risk.
Study found up to 24% lower incidence for women under 71 with high adherence.
Benefits attributed to diet's rich plant-based foods, healthy fats, and whole grains.
Findings from European and Swedish cohort studies corroborate the association.
Emphasizes potential for lifestyle intervention in neurodegenerative disease prevention.
Earlier adoption of the diet shows protective effects against disease onset.
A recent study published in the European Medical Journal (EMJ) indicates that women who maintain strong adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern during their younger and middle adult years may experience a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) before the age of 71. This major European study, drawing on data from a French cohort of over 71,000 women followed for up to 20 years, found that high adherence to either the Mediterranean (MED) or MIND (Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diets was associated with a 24-25% lower incidence of Parkinson's disease in women under 71 years of age.
These findings corroborate earlier research, including a large population-based Swedish study published in 'Movement Disorders,' which observed that women closely following a Mediterranean diet in their 30s and 40s had a reduced risk of PD later in life, especially past their mid-60s. The protective effects are believed to stem from the diet's rich composition of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats like olive oil, while being low in red meat and dairy. These components contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are crucial for brain health and may protect against neurodegeneration.
While the overall incidence of Parkinson's disease was not universally linked to the diet across all age groups in the French study, the age-dependent association underscores the importance of adopting such dietary patterns early in life for long-term neurological health benefits. Another study from the University of British Columbia also suggested that adherence to these diets could delay the age of Parkinson's onset by up to 17 years in women. This research highlights a promising, modifiable lifestyle factor in the prevention strategy for Parkinson's disease in women, offering valuable insights for public health initiatives globally, including India where the Mediterranean diet is increasingly recognized for its health benefits.
Read the full story on Quick Digest