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COMMERCIALLY FARMED FRUIT LINKED WITH PARKINSON’S
Here’s another reason to choose organically grown produce: Researchers in
Honolulu have identified a correlation between high fruit and fruit drink
consumption and risk of Parkinson’s disease. They suspect this link may be due
to pesticides and herbicides. These findings were presented this week at the
American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting in Honolulu.
The analysis followed more than 8,000 study subjects. Incidence of Parkinson’s
was noted over 34 years of observation.
Results of the study show that increased fruit and fruit drink consumption
predicted an elevated risk of Parkinson’s. However, high dietary and
supplemental intake of vitamin C did not appear to up the risk — indicating that
pesticides or herbicides may be to blame.
“We speculate that this increased risk may be due to plant borne toxins,
pesticides or herbicides, rather than the fruit itself,” notes study author
Andrew Grandinetti, PhD. “High fruit intake is still an important protective
factor against many chronic diseases. However, these findings suggest that
further research into the role of food borne toxins may provide clarity as well
as insight into the etiology and prevention of Parkinson’s.”
American Academy of Neurology – April 2, 2003.
http://www.aan.com/
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