What in the world is the connection between betalains and Parkinsons and furthermore, what are betalains in the first place? Is this some type of new medicine coming out on the market?
Answer: No. This is not a prescription medicine with side effects.

Betalains are the red-violet and yellow pigments that are naturally found in beets and a few other foods. How might this extract from beets offer benefits for persons diagnosed with Parkinsons? Consider this impressive list. Betalains …
- Reduce inflammation
- Increase energy
- Boost mental clarity
- Detox the liver
- Fight free radicals
- Oxiginates the blood
I have two sources of information about betalains. First, an interview with Kari Skinner. Click on the zoom replay link below to watch my interview with her.
Second, studies are listed below that tout the advantages of taking betatains as a treatment for symptoms of Parkinsons. Note the recent increase in interest in this natural option as a treatment for Parkinsons.
Betalains and Parkinsons Studies
Plants (Basel). 2025 Mar 21;14(7):994. The Neuroprotective Potential of Betalains: A Focused Review
Abstract
Betalains are natural, hydrophilic pigments present in a variety of plants (such as beets) from the order Caryophyllales, extensively used as non-toxic food colorants and antioxidants. In recent decades, betalains have been intensively researched, with numerous studies confirming their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antinociceptive properties.
More recently, due to a significant increase in the aging population worldwide, there has been growing interest in the study of preventive effects of betalains on age-related, degenerative brain diseases. The aim of this review is to evaluate the potential neuroprotective role of betalains in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as other types of neurodegenerative and ischemic brain injuries.
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Note on the reference to Betanins below. Betalains are the entire class of pigments. Betanin is just one specific pigment molecule within this class.
Metab Brain Dis. 2023 Mar;38(3):805-817. Traversing through the cell signaling pathways of neuroprotection by betanin: therapeutic relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract
Modulation of cell signaling pathways is the key area of research towards the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Altered Nrf2-Keap1-ARE (Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1-Antioxidant responsive element) and SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1) cell signaling pathways are considered to play major role in the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Strikingly, betanin, a betanidin 5-O-?-D-glucoside compound is reported to show commendable anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in several disease studies including AD and PD.
The present review discusses the pre-clinical studies demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of betanin by virtue of its potential to ameliorate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, abnormal protein aggregation and cell death. It highlights the direct linkage between the neuroprotective abilities of betanin and upregulation of signaling pathways.
The present review hereby for the first time elaborately discusses the reported neuroprotective abilities of betanin and decodes the Nrf2 and SIRT1 modulating potential of betanin as a primary mechanism of action behind, hence highlighting it as a novel drug candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in the near future.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Oct 6;26(19):9726. Neuroprotective Effects of Betanin in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease: Behavioural and Neurotransmitter Pathway Insights
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the effect of betanin-a bioactive, natural pigment found in beetroot and prickly pear-on cognitive function, motor performance, and neurotransmission in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Aged mice with PD-like symptoms induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were pretreated with betanin (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w./day) via drinking water. Behavioural tests assessed motor skills, anxiety-related behaviour, and spatial memory. Biochemical analyses of central nervous system structures were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine neurotransmitter levels and metabolites.
Betanin improved motor and cognitive functions in MPTP-treated mice. While learning ability remained unchanged, the 50 mg/kg dose alleviated spatial memory deficits. Biochemically, betanin moderately limited dopamine depletion and significantly influenced dopamine metabolism and serotonin levels. These findings suggest that betanin, as a functional food component, may exert neuroprotective effects and support cognitive and motor function in neurodegenerative conditions such as PD.
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- Beta vulgaris: The plant (beetroot/sugar beet).
- Betalains: The natural pigments (found inside the beet)
Indian J Pharmacol. 2015 Jul-Aug;47(4):403-8. Neuroprotective potential of Beta vulgaris L. in Parkinson’s disease
Abstract
Objective: The objective was to investigate the neuroprotective role of Beta vulgaris in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Materials and methods: PD was induced by administration of reserpine (5 mg/kg/day, i.p for 5 consecutive days), haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and tacrine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) in experimental animals. The symptoms of PD such as tremors, akinesia, rigidity, catalepsy, and vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) were evaluated. Foot shock-induced aggression (FSIA) model was used to confirm anti-parkinsonian activity. The methanolic extract of Beta vulgaris (MEBV) was administered at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, p.o. The combination of L-dopa and carbidopa was used as a standard drug. Behavioral studies such as locomotor activity and grip strength were determined, and oxidative stress was evaluated in FSIA model in rat brain.
Results: Pretreatment with MEBV (200 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced the intensity of muscular rigidity, duration of catalepsy, akinesia, the number of tremors, VCMs, and increase fighting behavior. The locomotor activity and grip strength were significantly increased by MEBV. In FSIA, the biochemical analysis of brain revealed the increased level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MEBV significantly reduced LPO level and restored the defensive antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT in rat brain.
Conclusions: The results indicated the protective role of B. vulgaris against PD.
Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery ®
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
















































