Rates of Parkinson’s disease continue to rise around the world annually. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, around 1,1 million people live with the disease in the United States alone. There are around 10 million people living with Parkinson’s globally, and this number is anticipated to reach 20 million by 2050. The causes of this progressive neurological disorder are generally unknown, but several factors, such as genes and environmental factors, seem to play a role. Doctors have recently revealed that eating a particular type of food may also be linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
The Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods and Parkinson’s Disease Risk
A new study revealed that consuming 11 or more servings of ultra-processed food every day increases your likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease by 2.5 times. One serving is the equivalent of an ounce of potato chips, a slice of cake, a hot dog, or eight ounces of soda. The study’s lead author, Dr. Xiang Gao, stated that, “Our research shows that eating too much processed food, like sugary sodas and packaged snacks, might be speeding up early signs of Parkinson’s disease.” The researchers analyzed the data of almost 43,000 participants, none of whom had Parkinson’s at the start. The average age of the participants was 48. The researchers noted a significant link between early indicators of the disease and the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
However, they noted that cereal and bread were an exception to these findings. The researchers believe that it could be the levels of added saturated fats, sugar, and salt that are to blame. Considering the large number of participants and the fact that the follow-up period lasted up to 26 years, the study’s authors feel that it “stands out not only for its power but also for its methodological rigor.” Other dieticians have additionally stated that excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods not only increases metabolic disease risk, but also accelerates neurodegenerative processes.
Read More: 10 Early Warning Signs of Parkinson’s Most People Miss
Other Risk Factors and Symptoms Associated With Parkinson’s Disease Development
One of the known risk factors for Parkinson’s disease is genetics. You have a higher risk of developing the disease if one or more first-degree relatives (parents and siblings) have been diagnosed with it. However, unless you have many relatives with this condition, the likelihood is still low. Men are also more likely to develop this disease than women. Parkinson’s disease risk also increases with age, usually starting around age 50 or older. The average age of onset, however, is around 70. There are also certain environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, including pesticides and herbicides.
There are several symptoms and complications associated with Parkinson’s disease. For one, it affects a patient’s ability to think clearly, impacting their reasoning skills, language, and memory. Some individuals also become depressed, anxious, and irritable. The mouth muscles are also affected in the late stages of the disease. This leads to difficulties with chewing and swallowing food. Many individuals also suffer from sleeping disorders and issues. They may awaken several times during the night and experience nightmares when they are sleeping. Some people also experience rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which involves acting out their dreams while they sleep.
Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include bladder issues, constipation, and a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). Some people partially or fully lose their sense of smell, feel tired during the day, and experience pain in their joints and muscles. Another symptom of the disease is a decrease in sexual desire and performance. Since the causes of Parkinson’s are not fully understood, creating effective treatments is challenging. However, certain preventative measures include exercise, drinking caffeine, and taking certain medications, such as statins and ibuprofen.
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