Consuming about twelve portions of ultra -processed foods per day may more than double the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study.
A single portion in the study was equivalent to 237 ml of diet or sugary soda, a hot dog, a slice of industrialized cake, a simple tablespoon of ketchup or 28 grams of chips-a typical bag contains 42 grams.
“Our research shows that eating a lot of processed food, such as sugary sodas and packaged snacks, may be accelerating the early signs of Parkinson’s disease,” said senior study author Xiang Gao, distinct teacher and director of the Fudan University Institute of Nutrition in Shanghai, China, in a statement.
This last study is part of the “growing evidence that the diet can influence the development of Parkinson’s disease,” Gao said.
Although the study found that people who consumed more ultra -processed foods tended to report more early symptoms, a direct increase in the risk of Parkinson’s disease itself was found, Daniel Van Wamelen, a senior clinical professor at King’s College London, who did not participate in the new research.
“The study did not follow whether participants were diagnosed with Parkinson later,” Van Wamelen said in a statement. “That said, having more of these symptoms suggests a higher risk over time.”
Brain health starts “at the dining table”
The study analyzed years of health and diet data of almost 43,000 participants in the Numbers’ health study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Studytwo studies in the United States that have collected information on health behaviors for decades. The average age of people in the study was 48 years, and none had Parkinson’s disease at the beginning of the study. Everyone reported what they ate every few years – a limitation of the new research, as participants may not have accurately remembered their food intake.
Ultra -processed foods measured by the study included artificially sweetened or sugary beverages; Condiments, sauces and folders; Packed sweets or desserts; Yogurts or dairy desserts; breads and cereals; and packed salty snacks.
The study found a link between early signs of Parkinson’s disease and all types of ultra -processed foods except bread and cereals – a finding that indicates an underlying feature among most ultra -processed food classes that can explain the results, according to the study.
One reason could be that ultra -processed foods typically have less dietary fiber, protein and micronutrients – but contain added sugar, salt and saturated or trans fats, the study said. Ultra -processed foods can also impact the balance of intestinal flora, while additives can increase inflammation, free radicals and neuronal death, according to the study.
“With a sample size of more than 42,800 participants and a long monitoring period of up to 26 years, this study stands out not only for its power, but also for its methodological rigor,” wrote the authors of a corresponding editorial published with the study.
The editorial was co -established by Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, associate professor of Clinical Neurology at Columbia University in New York, and nutritionist Maria Maraki, assistant professor of sports medicine and biology of the exercise of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. None of them were involved in the new research.
“Prevention of neurodegenerative diseases can start at the dining table,” they wrote. “Excessive consumption of ultra -processed is not only a risk factor for metabolic diseases, but it can also accelerate neurodegenerative processes and associated symptoms.”
First symptoms appear years before the decline of motor function
In the new study, Published on Wednesday (7) In Neurology magazine, the researchers observed the prodromal stage of Parkinson’s disease – early signs that appear years or decades before tremors, rigid muscles, idling and posture changes that are characteristic symptoms of Parkinson.
Body pain, constipation, signs of depression, changes in the ability to smell or see colors and excessive drowsiness during the day can be early signs of Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson Foundation.
An extremely unusual sleep disorder, in which people can move during REM sleep, or fast eye movement sleep stage, is also an important early signal, according to research. The body usually is paralyzed during sleep REM so as not to get up and act during dreams.
The study found that people who consumed about 11 daily portions of ultra -processed foods – compared to people who consumed only three – had a 2.5 times higher probability of displaying three or more of Parkinson’s early signs. He was the first person to be diagnosed with a new sleep disorder. This led to a scientific advance.
In addition, high consumption of ultra -processed foods was associated with an increased risk to almost all symptoms except constipation, according to the study. This discovery remained true even after the researchers considered other factors, such as age, physical activity, and smoking, which could impact the results.
“Parkinson is an incurable disease,” Gao said in an email. “In our previous study, based on the same populations used for current analysis, we found that a healthy eating pattern and physical activity could slow the progression of the disease.”
“Opting to consume less processed foods and more whole and nutritious foods can be a good strategy for maintaining brain health.”
See also: Advanced therapies help Parkinson’s treatments
This content was originally published in ultra -processed foods can double Parkinson’s risk, reveals a study on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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