What in the world is the connection between betalains and Parkinsons and furthermore, what are betalains health benefits for Parkinsons? 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 health benefits include …
- Reduce the biomarkers of inflammation
- Fight fatigue
- Increase energy
- Support mental alertness
- Detox the liver
- Fight free radicals
Purified betalains have been clinically shown to reduce inflammation by 47% and boost energy by more than 100$.
I have two sources of additional information about betalains health benefits. First, an interview with Kari Skinner. Click on the zoom replay link below to watch my interview with her.
Second, studies are posted below that tout the advantages of taking betatains as a treatment for symptoms of Parkinsons. There is clearly increasing interest the value of food and in particular Betalains as a natural treatment for Parkinsons symptoms.
Betalains Research
Note on the reference to Betanins below. Betalains are the entire class of pigments. Betanin is 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. Cell signaling pathways are considered to play major role in the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Strikingly, betanin is reported to show commendable anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in several disease studies including Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
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.
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.
Aged mice with Parkinsons like symptoms 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 to determine neurotransmitter levels and metabolites.
Betanin improved motor and cognitive functions in 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 Parkinsons.
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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

















































