A growing body of research is revealing just how much our diet influences long-term brain health, particularly when it comes to the risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s Disease.
A recent study, published in Neurology, followed almost 43,000 participants for up to 26 years to investigate how diet influences the early signs of the disease.
Researchers found that people who ate 11 or more servings of ultra-processed foods each day were 2.5 times more likely to show three or more early symptoms of Parkinson’s compared to those eating less than three daily servings.
Ultra-processed foods are products that have been industrially manufactured and contain ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as additives, artificial flavours, preservatives, and emulsifiers.
They’re often packaged for long shelf lives and designed to taste moreish – in other words, once you start, it’s hard to stop. Examples include soft drinks, packaged snacks, frozen ready meals, instant noodles, flavoured yoghurts, processed meats like bacon and sausages, and even supermarket white bread.
These early signs can appear years before a Parkinson’s diagnosis and include issues like sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, constipation, fatigue, pain and a reduced sense of smell.
More clinical trials are needed, but researchers say the findings suggest that diets high in ultra-processed foods may accelerate early neurological changes linked to Parkinson’s. Even so, limiting ultra-processed foods is a good idea not just for brain health, but for overall well-being. While delicious, these foods have also been associated with obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to control movement. It occurs when dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain become damaged or die.
Symptoms vary from person to person, but common signs include tremors, stiff muscles, slowed movement, poor balance and coordination, and speech or writing changes. Non-motor symptoms such as depression, memory loss, and disturbed sleep are also common and can occur years before physical symptoms appear.
There is currently no cure, but treatment can help manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.
How many Australians are affected by Parkinson’s?
According to Parkinson’s Australia, over 150,000 people are living with Parkinson’s in Australia, making it the second most common neurological disease after dementia.
While most people are diagnosed over the age of 60, younger Australians can be affected too – around 10 to 20 per cent of people with Parkinson’s are under 50.
With an ageing population and increasing life expectancy, the number of people living with Parkinson’s is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
The exact cause of Parkinson’s remains unknown, but it’s believed to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
While genetics plays a role in a small percentage of cases, lifestyle and environmental exposures have also been linked to increased risk. Now, diet is emerging as another key factor.
The latest research suggests that ultra-processed foods may contribute to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, two processes involved in the development of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
How is Parkinson’s disease treated?
There’s no cure for Parkinson’s, but medications can help manage symptoms by replenishing dopamine levels or mimicking its effects in the brain. The most commonly prescribed drug is levodopa.
Supportive therapies such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and mental health support are also vital to help people maintain independence and manage the non-motor symptoms of the condition.
Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also play a role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. If you do have concerns, be sure to check in with your GP.
