A recent study conducted at the University of Manchester determined that drinking green tea and eating blueberries and other purple fruits may decrease the likelihood of neurological degeneration.
Published in the journal Archives of Toxicology, the paper claimed that illnesses like Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease are caused by iron that is not fully bound up by molecules within the body.
Iron that goes unbound can cause the release of hydroxyl radicals, which are hydroxide-based compounds that can react with and destroy many molecules necessary for bodily function, its author stated.
Preventing these toxins from being formed by unbound iron may be as simple as consuming blueberries and green tea.
The study noted that purple fruits and green tea are rich sources of chelators, or heavy-metal binding compounds. It added that vividly colored fruits and vegetables are generally a good source of chelators.
Consuming blueberries, green teas and fruits and vegetables may also reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Studies have linked the antioxidants in these foods to a number of potential health benefits.