Parkinson’s disease affects nearly 1 million Americans. Each year, another 60,000 people are diagnosed with the condition (1, 2).

Symptoms vary from person to person but commonly include muscle spasms, tremors, and muscle soreness. The causes and triggers that activate Parkinson’s are still being studied (3).

“This article will look at how diet can affect individuals with Parkinson’s and which foods may help or hurt them.”

filet of salmon with kale, berries, tomatoes, and nuts
Nadine Greeff/Stocksy United

Levodopa (Sinemet) and bromocriptine (Parlodel) are common drugs that many people with Parkinson’s take to manage symptoms. However, no treatment will fully stop symptoms (3).

Since there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, and the drugs prescribed to manage symptoms sometimes have harsh side effects, some people may be interested in alternative remedies (4, 5).

“Some research suggests that certain changes in diet may help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms.”

Because this condition is closely connected to a lack of dopamine cells in your body, researchers are looking for ways to increase dopamine naturally through your diet (6, 7, 8).

Plus, secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as dementia and confusion, may improve through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise (3, 9, 10).

Foods high in antioxidants may also help cut down on oxidative stress in your brain, which may be responsible for some of the mental decline seen in Parkinson’s (11, 12).

Additionally, you may be able to relieve constipation — another potential symptom — with fiber supplements and probiotics, although research is mixed (13, 14, 15).

Finally, taking magnesium may relieve muscle cramps that can occur in Parkinson’s, though supporting research is lacking. Still, low levels of this mineral are thought to contribute to the development of Parkinson’s, so magnesium remains important (16, 17).

Further research is needed.

summary

“Some changes to the diet can help improve Parkinson’s symptoms. Exercise may be helpful.”

Some research focuses on proteins, flavonoids, and gut bacteria for improving Parkinson’s symptoms, but the research is ongoing and still inconclusive (18, 19).

More research has shown that diets high in antioxidants may provide brain-protective benefits and slow the progression of the disease in older adults (20, 21).

Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress, which is an imbalance of antioxidants and unstable compounds called free radicals that occurs in Parkinson’s disease (21, 22).

The following foods contain large amounts of antioxidants (23):

  • Nuts: walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and pistachios
  • Berries: blueberries, blackberries, goji berries, cranberries, and elderberries
  • Nightshade vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant
  • Leafy green vegetables: spinach and kale

Eating a plant-based diet high in these types of foods may provide the highest antioxidant intake (23).

Researchers are also exploring an antioxidant treatment for Parkinson’s, though studies remain inconclusive inconclusive (24, 25, 26).

Fava beans

Some people eat fava beans for Parkinson’s because they contain levodopa — the same compound used in some Parkinson’s drugs. However, no definitive evidence shows that these beans help reduce symptoms (24).

Additionally, because you don’t know how much levodopa you’re getting when you eat fava beans, you shouldn’t use them as a substitute for prescription treatments.

Omega-3 foods

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are types of healthy fats, may help improve brain function in those with Parkinson’s. These fats are found in foods like (25, 26):

  • salmon
  • There is a fish called halibut.
  • They have oysters.
  • There are soy beans.
  • It is a vegetable called flaxseed.
  • The beans have aKidney beans

Some research also suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which tends to be high in antioxidants and omega-3s, protects against dementia in Parkinson’s disease (27, 28).

Certain nutrient-dense foods

Malnutrition has been found to be a risk factor for mental decline. Additionally, individuals with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to suffer from malnutrition (29, 30).

Here are some food sources of nutrients that many people with Parkinson’s are deficient in (31):

  • Iron: spinach, beef, tofu, and fortified breakfast cereals
  • Vitamin B1: pork, beans, lentils, and peas
  • Zinc: whole grains, red meat, They have oysters., and chicken
  • Vitamin D: salmon, tuna fish, fortified dairy products, and cod liver oil
  • Calcium: dairy products, green leafy veggies, and fortified soy products

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“Some Parkinson’s symptoms can be alleviated by eating more foods rich in Omega 3s and Antioxidant. There is no evidence for the efficacy of fava beans.”

“If you have Parkinson’s, you may want to limit your intake of certain foods.”

Foods high in saturated fat

Although the specific role of saturated fat in Parkinson’s is still being studied, research suggests that a high dietary fat intake may increase your risk of this disease (32).

Generally speaking, diets high in saturated fat have been linked to chronic conditions like heart disease. As such, you may wish to keep these foods in moderation (33).

Some foods high in saturate fat include (34):

  • beef
  • It was lard.
  • butter
  • cheese
  • The oil is from palm
  • Fried and baked foods.

Conversely, a very small study notes that the keto diet — which is high in fat — is beneficial for some people with Parkinson’s. However, a low fat diet also showed benefits. Overall, more research is needed (35).

Foods that are hard to chew

Another Parkinson’s symptom is difficulty chewing and swallowing. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of people with this condition experience difficulty swallowing as the disease progresses (36).

It is important to choose foods that are easy to chew and swallow.

Processed foods

Lastly, it’s recommended to limit or avoid processed foods, such as canned foods, fried foods, and regular and diet sodas, as these have been linked to a more rapid progression of Parkinson’s (37).

Processed foods may also impair gut health, which may affect symptom severity (38).

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“People with Parkinson’s may need to limit their intake of processed foods and foods high in saturated fats.”

“Here are a few lifestyle tips that may help with Parkinson’s symptoms.”

  • Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is especially important for people with Parkinson’s, who often don’t experience typical thirst sensations. Aim to drink 6–8 full glasses (1.2–1.6 liters) of water each day to feel your best (39).
  • Spend time outside. Vitamin D has been demonstrated to protect against Parkinson’s, so getting fresh air and sunshine may ease your symptoms (40).
  • Get moving. Various kinds of exercise and physical therapy may improve your abilities and slow the progression of Parkinson’s (3).
  • Consider supplements. Talk to your doctor about supplements and other therapies that may be safe for you to try.

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“Staying hydrated, getting outside, and keeping active may help relieve Parkinson’s symptoms.”

Insufficient research is available to recommend a specific diet to treat Parkinson’s disease. However, there’s reason to believe that a healthy diet — alongside regular exercise — may help improve symptoms.

Keep in mind that certain foods and supplements may interfere with prescription drugs for this disease, so make sure you consult your doctor before changing your treatment routine.

Just one thing

Try this today: Boost your antioxidant intake by drinking a nutrient-rich smoothie. To whip one up quickly, blend antioxidant-rich berries, spinach, and banana with dairy or nondairy milk.