NEW DELHI—— A new study suggests that consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods such as sugary sodas, cookies, and packaged snacks may speed up early signs of Parkinson’s disease.
The research, published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, adds to growing evidence that diet plays a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
Dr. Arun Gupta, a pediatrician and convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), said there is now substantial evidence linking ultra-processed foods—often high in fat, sugar, and salt—to health risks. He questioned why the government has not yet taken strong action, such as banning advertisements that promote overconsumption.
Study Focused on Early Symptoms
The study looked for signs of “prodromal” Parkinson’s disease, which refers to the earliest stage when changes begin in the brain, before common symptoms like tremors and slow movement appear. These early signs can begin years before diagnosis and may include mental health changes, sleep problems, pain, and loss of smell.
“Eating a healthy diet is crucial, as it may lower the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s,” said study author Xiang Gao, professor and dean at the Institute of Nutrition, Fudan University in Shanghai. “Our findings show that too much processed food might speed up these early symptoms.”
Details of the Study
Researchers followed 42,853 participants, with an average age of 48, over a 26-year period. None of the participants had Parkinson’s disease at the start. They completed health surveys and had regular medical exams to track early symptoms like sleep disorders, pain, depression, loss of smell, and reduced vision.
The study analyzed the intake of several ultra-processed food categories, including:
- Sugary drinks
- Sauces and condiments
- Dairy-based sweets
- Animal-based processed products
One serving was defined as a can of soda, one ounce of chips, one slice of packaged cake, one hot dog, or a tablespoon of ketchup.
Participants were divided into five groups based on how many ultra-processed food servings they consumed each day. Those in the highest group consumed 11 or more servings daily. The lowest group consumed fewer than three.
After adjusting for age, physical activity, and smoking, the researchers found that people who consumed 11 or more servings of processed foods daily were 2.5 times more likely to show three or more early signs of Parkinson’s disease compared to those who ate the least.
The risk increased for nearly all early symptoms—except constipation—among those who consumed more ultra-processed food.
Expert Advice and Global Concern
“Choosing whole, nutritious foods over processed ones may be a good way to protect brain health,” Gao added. He emphasized that further studies are needed to confirm whether reducing processed food intake can slow early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people affected by Parkinson’s disease is rising globally. The condition worsens over time, and while there is no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms such as tremors, muscle pain, difficulty walking, and speech problems.
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