You may have heard the expression knowledge is power.

Well, today we're going to give you more power to control your diet and lifestyle by giving you the facts.

Welcome to the Nutrition Facts Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Michael Greger.

Parkinson's is one of the fastest growing neurological conditions in the world.

I know there's currently no cure for the disease.

There are dietary changes that can significantly improve symptoms of the disease.

And we start today with the potential benefits of coffee.

When James Parkinson first described the classical symptoms of the disease,

he had hardly received the evolution of our understanding over the next 200 years,

like the role of nutrition.

Increasing Parkinson's disease risk with high dietary intakes of animal fat,

iron, mercury, and dairy products, whereas the intake of antioxidants in a plant-based dietary pattern may be protective.

Plant-based diets are known to preserve body tissues from oxidative stress and inflammation,

both hallmarks of chronic degenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

On the contrary, animal-based foods, particularly rich in animal proteins and saturated fats,

are correlated with the promotion of neurodegenerative diseases in addition to some of the leading killers,

like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.

Not all plants are necessarily good, though, for example, the potential neurotoxicity of graviolla,

a fruit known as sourso.

Consumption of soursob can lower blood pressure and uric acid levels,

but may also cause an atypical form of Parkinson's disease,

because the fruit contains neurotoxic compounds.

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