Tests show seaweed could help against Parkinson's disease

Eating seaweed could help prevent Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers in Japan, where the highly nutritious plant has long been a staple crop.

A team from Osaka Metropolitan University has discovered that brown algae seaweed called ecklonia cava "appears to protect against neurodegeneration."

"It is hoped that ecklonia cava will be an effective ingredient in the prevention of Parkinson's disease," said Akiko Kojima-Yuasa, a professor at the university.

The scientists carried out a series of tests, including on mice, and found that antioxidants in the seaweed exert "neuroprotective effects" and offer protection against Parkinson’s. The research was published in the journal Nutrients.

Parkinson's is caused by the depletion of neurons that produce dopamine, which acts as "a neurotransmitter involved in motor control and cognitive function," according to Osaka Metropolitan University. Like serotonin, dopamine is sometimes called a "happy hormone" due to its effects on mood.

The incidence of Parkinson's disease, which is incurable and can leave patients wheelchair-bound, has been rising in countries such as Japan where elderly people make up a relatively high percentage of the population.

According to the Parkinson's Foundation, around 10 million people worldwide have the disease. In 2021, a Cambridge University-led team of scientists reported a "vital step" towards understanding the disease after singling out a brain protein.

Antioxidants in other plants, such as some red berries and grapes, have also shown some promise in curbing Parkinson's. The American Medical Association this week published research suggesting that "a reduction in air pollution may help reduce Parkinson disease risk."

Highly nutritious and long consumed in parts of Asia and on other island countries such as Ireland, seaweed is sometimes labeled a so-called "superfood."

In 2023, Tufts University researchers said harvesting of seaweed, already a $5bn-a-year industry, could become more widespread due to growing demand for "nutrient-rich seaweed products."