How ultra-processed foods may affect Parkinson’s risk
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A recent study published in the journal Neurology found that people who consumed larger amounts of ultraprocessed foods were more likely to report early symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. These symptoms may appear years before a formal diagnosis and can include sleep problems, reduced sense of smell, constipation, and mood changes. The study does not prove that ultraprocessed foods directly cause Parkinson’s disease, but experts say the findings provide another reason to examine how long-term dietary habits may influence brain health and neurological function.
Source
Wang, P., Chen, X., Na, M., Flores-Torres, M. H., Bjornevik, K., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Khandpur, N., Rossato, S. L., Zhang, F. F., Ascherio, A., & Gao, X. (2025). Long-Term Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods and Prodromal Features of Parkinson Disease. Neurology, 104(11), e213562. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213562
Additional Reading
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/05/do-ultra-processed-foods-increase-parkinsons-risk/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/parkinsonsdisease/115495