Ringo Starr eats vegetable linked to fighting a genetic disease 'every day'
Ringo Starr has claimed his secret to ‘staying young’ is to eat a vegetable that experts believe may contain a compound linked to fighting genetic diseases.
The Beatles drummer, who celebrated his 86th birthday this summer, has been a vegetarian for more than six decades after witnessing bullfighting in Spain.
He previously revealed in a 2016 interview that he’d turned to an ‘all-organic vegan’ diet and that ‘eating carrots’ was how he stayed young and healthy.
In the mornings, Ringo—real name Sir Richard Starkey—has been known to snack on punnets of blueberries.
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Another item you’ll always find on his plate is broccoli.
Speaking of broccoli, which is rich in fibre and potassium, the musician said he likes to eat it because he feels it's ‘good’ for him.
The cruciferous veggie also contains natural plant compounds called glucosinolates, according to Steph Grasso, a registered dietitian.
She told Real Simple: “When you chew or chop broccoli, some of these compounds convert into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane has been widely studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”
It’s also a great source of vitamin C, which supports immune health and collagen production, as per the expert.
Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian and registered dietitian nutritionist, also explained how the veg may support gut health, aid in weight management, and ‘help reduce oxidative stress, all of which contribute to heart disease prevention’.
It’s also suggested that Ringo’s go-to vegetable could help fight Friedreich ataxia, a devastating genetic disease that progressively damages the nervous system.
The condition can shorten life expectancy and cause patients to lose their ability to walk and speak. There is currently no cure.
ScienceDaily reported that a study found sulforaphane can increase levels of frataxin, a protein that is present in insufficient amounts in people with Friedreich ataxia.
"Friedreich ataxia is a devastating rare genetic disease that progressively steals a child's ability to walk, speak, play, and ultimately survive,” said lead researcher Associate Professor Faith Kwa of Swinburne University.
“This novel therapeutic agent can target the underlying cause of the disease, while delivering an affordable and accessible therapy worldwide, improving treatment opportunities for families affected by this life-limiting disease.
"This discovery brings us closer to a future where children with Friedreich ataxia experience a better quality of life, greater independence, and an improved chance of long-term survival."
The team at Swinburne hopes to secure further financial support for clinical trials, further proving the ‘positive impact the broccoli compound could have on those suffering from Friedreich ataxia’.
"Even if we can raise awareness of this debilitating condition or improve one person's quality of life, our efforts will have been worth it,” the researchers added.
Ella Scott
