Key points from article :
A new study published in Neurology links high intake of ultra-processed foods to early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers from Fudan University and several U.S. institutions analyzed data from over 42,000 adults in the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They looked at long-term diets and the presence of seven early symptoms tied to Parkinson’s, including sleep disorders, constipation, depression, and body pain.
Participants filled out food frequency questionnaires every few years. Researchers used the NOVA classification system to identify ultra-processed foods such as packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and processed meats. People who consumed the most processed foods were about 2.5 times more likely to show three or more early signs of Parkinson’s than those who ate the least.
The study found stronger links with specific foods like sweet snacks, dairy desserts, and sauces. Researchers made sure the results weren’t skewed by people changing their diets after symptoms appeared by analyzing data from at least six years earlier.
While the study does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause Parkinson’s, it adds to evidence that diet quality affects brain health. The researchers suggest reducing processed food intake and focusing on whole foods may help lower future risk.
