Some fruits consumed in the Antilles would have a direct link with Parkinson’s disease. This is the result of a study unveiled at the end of July 2025 by the Guadeloupe University Hospital, after more than two decades of research carried out by the hospital neurology pole, as reported France Culture .
Exotic fruits that contain annuacin
The study relates to certain exotic fruits widely consumed in the Antilles, Guyana or Reunion: the corossol, the Cachiman, the Zatte or the Cinnamon apple.
These fruits contain annuacin, a very dangerous molecule for neurons, which suffocates nerve cells and promotes the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, explains France-Antilles .
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Significant and regular consumption
A significant, regular and prolonged consumption of these fruits would thus be correlated with the development of a serious form of Parkinson’s disease, called Caribbean Parkinson. In addition to the conventional symptoms of tremors and stiffness, patients very early develop cognitive disorders.
“We observe memory disorders, reasoning difficulties, sometimes even hallucinations or swallowing problems”explains Jean-Médard Zola, one of the authors of the study.
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A serious form of Parkinson’s disease
The Caribbean Parkinson concerns 70 % of people diagnosed with this disease in the Antilles. The consumption of these exotic fruits, appreciated for their relaxing and antioxidant properties, is indeed very anchored in culture.
Many products transformed into a contain, with high rates of annacin, as specified France-Antilles.
Scientific research continues
Work is still necessary, in particular to establish a consumption threshold without danger to health. In the meantime, researchers invite West Indians to vigilance and recommend a better labeling of certain products.
“It is not a question of prohibiting these fruits but of informing about the risks of excessive consumption”sums up Jean-Médard Zola.