Summary: A significant new study has revealed that consuming a lot of processed foods may be a factor in premature Parkinson’s disease. Researchers studied over 42, 000 people for up to 26 decades to discover that those who consumed 11 or more servings of ultra-processed foods regular were 2.5 times more likely to experience multiple premonitory Parkinson’s symptoms.
Constipation was not a factor in these early symptoms, but sleep problems, a bad sense of smell, unhappiness, and pain were present. The study supports growing proof that diet plays a significant role in mental health and potential risk of degenerative diseases, but it does not establish causality.
Important Information
- Higher Chance: People who consumed 11 or more servings of processed food per day were 2.5 times more likely to develop early Parkinson’s symptoms.
- Prodromal Symptoms: These included depressive symptoms, impaired taste, and sleeping problems.
- Studies support a reduction in highly processed foods in order to promote mental health.
Origin: AAN
According to a study conducted in the May 7, 2025 website in , Neurology, people who consume more extremely processed foods like warm breakfast cereal, sweets, and hot dogs are more likely to develop early Parkinson’s disorder.
The study only demonstrates a link between eating more processed foods and displaying Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers looked for prodromal Parkinson’s disease, the first stage of neurodegeneration, for signs but those that are more typical, such as tremors, balance issues, and slow movement, have not yet developed.
These initial symptoms can develop years or even decades before the typical symptoms start.
According to study author Xiang Gao, MD, PhD, of the Institute of Nutrition, Fudan University in Shanghai, China, eating a healthy diet is important because it has been linked to a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
” There is growing evidence that diet may have an impact on the development of Parkinson’s disease. Our research suggests that consuming too much processed food, such as packaged snacks and sugary sodas, may speed up the development of Parkinson’s disease.
42, 853 people, on average, who were not affected by Parkinson’s disease at the start of the study were included in the study. They remained there for up to 26 years.
Participants completed health questionnaires and had regular medical exams. Researchers examined the results to see if they showed early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including constipation, depressive symptoms, body pain, color vision impairment, excessive daytime sleepiness, and decreased ability to smell.
Every two to four years, participants kept a food diary, recording what they ate and when.
Researchers examined a variety of ultra-processed foods, including sauces, spreads, or condiments, packaged sweets, snacks, or desserts, artificial or sugary beverages, animal-based products, yogurt, or other dairy-based desserts, and packaged savory snacks.
One serving would be equivalent to one can of soda, one ounce of potato chips, one piece of packaged cake, one hot dog, or one tablespoon of ketchup.
Researchers determined the daily intake of ultra-processed foods by participants.
They broke down the group of participants into five groups. The highest group consumed an average of 11 or more servings of ultra-processed food per day. The least-elite group consumed fewer than three servings of food per day on average.
After taking into account variables like age, physical activity, and smoking, researchers discovered that those who ate 11 or more ultra-processed foods per day had a 2.5-fold higher risk of developing three or more early signs of Parkinson’s disease than those who only ate three servings per day.
Researchers examined individual early signs of Parkinson’s disease and discovered that eating more highly processed foods was associated with an increased risk for almost all symptoms, aside from constipation.
A good way to keep your brain healthy could be to switch to whole, wholesome foods, said Gao.
More studies are required to confirm our hypothesis that consuming less processed food may delay the development of Parkinson’s disease’s earliest symptoms.
The study’s drawback was that the amount of consumed ultra-processed food was self-reported, so participants may not have accurately remembered how much and what foods they consumed.
Funding: The study received funding from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, the Shanghai Municipal Public Health System, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Chinese Postdoctoral Science Foundation.
About this diet and news from research on Parkinson’s disease
Author: Renee Tessman
Source: AAN
Contact: Renee Tessman – AAN
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: The findings will be published in Neurology.
