"Regularly consumption of food and drink rich in substances called flavonoids such as berries apples tea and red wine can lower a mans risk of developing Parkinsons disease by  percent new research suggests. For women however a reduction in risk was only seen when they ate at least several servings of berries a week according to the study. Men also had a risk reduction from frequently eating berries. For total flavonoids the beneficial result was only in men. But berries are protective in both men and women said the studys lead author Dr. Xiang Gao a research scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health and an associate epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. Berries could be a neuroprotective agent. People can include berries in their regular diet. There are no harmful effects from berry consumption and they lower the risk of hypertension too Gao added.  Results of the study are published online April  in the journal Neurology. Parkinsons disease is a degenerative condition that affects the central nervous system. It causes movement disorders such as tremors rigidity and balance problems. About  Americans have Parkinsons disease according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Flavonoids are substances found in plant foods that help prevent damage to the bodys cells known as oxidative damage. Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid plentiful in such berries as strawberries and blueberries. For the study the researchers reviewed nutrition and health data from almost  men enrolled in the Health Professional FollowUp Study and more than  women participating in the Nurses Health Study.  The researchers looked at dietary intake of five major flavonoid sources tea berries apples orange juice and red wine. Over  to  years of followup  people developed Parkinsons disease   men and  women. When researchers compared those who ate the most flavonoids with those who ate the least they found that only men saw a statistically significant benefit lowering their risk of Parkinsons by  percent. Gao said it wasnt clear why only men benefited from the extra flavonoid intake but he noted that other studies have also found differences between men and women. Gao said its not clear if theres a biological mechanism causing these differences or another factor. But when the researchers looked at the dietary compounds individually it was clear that berries could benefit both men and women lowering the risk of Parkinsons disease by about  percent for those who had at least two servings of berries a week. Gao said that anthocyanins protect the cells from oxidative damage and they also have an antiinflammatory effect which may be how berries help to reduce Parkinsons risk. The study findings should be interpreted cautiously because the participants were mostly white professionals and the results might not apply to other ethnic groups. Also recollections of dietary intake may be faulty and its possible that other properties of fruits and vegetables might have influenced the results the authors said. Dr. Michael Okun medical director of the National Parkinson Foundation said It is exciting to see research emerging about modifiable dietary issues that may affect the risk of getting diseases such as Parkinsons.  But he added its important for people to realize that this research isnt applicable to people who already have the disease. He also said it will be important to confirm these findings in other studies and learn the mechanism of how berries and other flavonoids appear to offer some protection against Parkinsons disease. More information Learn more about Parkinsons disease from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http_diseasedetail_parkinsons_disease.htm. SOURCES Xiang Gao M.D. Ph.D. research scientist Harvard School of Public Health assistant professor of medicine and associate epidemiologist Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Womens Hospital Boston Michael Okun M.D. medical director National Parkinson Foundation April   Neurology online"