Ultra-processed Foods Linked To Parkinson’s Risk
Habitual consumption of ultra-processed foods — such as sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and hot dogs — has already been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Now, a recent investigation suggests that people who indulge in such foods regularly are more likely to show early signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, followed over 42,000 adults (average age 48) for up to 26 years, using food diaries and medical assessments to track both diet and early neurological symptoms. Participants who consumed 11 or more servings of ultra-processed food daily were 2.5 times more likely to exhibit three or more early Parkinson’s signs than those who ate fewer than three servings. While the analysis of data didn’t show that these foods cause Parkinson’s, it did suggest a strong association between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and early indicators of Parkinson’s, such as sleep disorders, depression, impaired sense of smell, and reduced color vision.
Try this recipe today: Vegan Coconut Flan
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