magine eating a dozen ultraprocessed meals daily.

IImagine eating a dozen ultraprocessed meals daily. A recent study suggests this could double your chances of developing Parkinson's disease. Ultraprocessed foods include common items like sugary drinks, hot dogs, packaged cakes, and even potato chips. Consuming just one serving of these daily can increase your risk. Dr. Xiang Gao, a key researcher in this study, highlights the connection between processed diets and early Parkinson's signs. Recent evidence supports the idea that what we eat may influence the development of this debilitating disease. While increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods correlates with early symptoms, it doesn't definitively link to the confirmed diagnosis of Parkinsons. Dr. Daniel van Wamelen notes that the study suggests a potential risk for future development based on these symptoms. The researchers analyzed health and diet data from nearly 43,000 participants. They documented their diets over decades, with an average age of 48 at the beginning. However, this relies on self-reported data, which can be unreliable. Common ultraprocessed foods evaluated included sugary drinks, snacks, breads, and more. Remarkably, they found links between early Parkinson's symptoms and nearly all ultraprocessed foods except for breads and cereals. One possible reason? These foods generally lack fiber and essential nutrients while containing high sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Such factors could weaken gut health, increase inflammation, and lead to nerve damage. The study's extensive participant count and long follow-up time increase its credibility. Authors assert that our diet choices may play a significant role in either accelerating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases. The study focused on initial signs of Parkinsons that can appear long before noticeable symptoms like tremors or stiffness. Early indicators include body pain, changes in smell or vision, and excessive sleepiness, which are crucial to identify. Eating an average of 11 servings of ultraprocessed food daily results in a 2.5-fold increase in showing early Parkinson's symptoms compared to those who consume merely three servings. Even when adjusting for variables like age, lifestyle, and smoking, the risk remains. As Dr. Gao points out, Parkinson's is an irreversible condition. Maintaining a healthy diet of whole foods might be key to brain health. Its time to rethink whats on our plates. Eating fewer processed foods can be a vital step toward better health. Curious about how to improve your diet? Sign up for CNNs Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style, our guide to a healthier lifestyle. Imagine eating a dozen ultraprocessed meals daily. A recent study suggests this could double your chances of developing Parkinson's disease. Ultraprocessed foods include common items like sugary drinks, hot dogs, packaged cakes, and even potato chips. Consuming just one serving of these daily can increase your risk. Dr. Xiang Gao, a key researcher in this study, highlights the connection between processed diets and early Parkinson's signs. Recent evidence supports the idea that what we eat may influence the development of this debilitating disease. While increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods correlates with early symptoms, it doesn't definitively link to the confirmed diagnosis of Parkinsons. Dr. Daniel van Wamelen notes that the study suggests a potential risk for future development based on these symptoms. The researchers analyzed health and diet data from nearly 43,000 participants. They documented their diets over decades, with an average age of 48 at the beginning. However, this relies on self-reported data, which can be unreliable. Common ultraprocessed foods evaluated included sugary drinks, snacks, breads, and more. Remarkably, they found links between early Parkinson's symptoms and nearly all ultraprocessed foods except for breads and cereals. One possible reason? These foods generally lack fiber and essential nutrients while containing high sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Such factors could weaken gut health, increase inflammation, and lead to nerve damage. The study's extensive participant count and long follow-up time increase its credibility. Authors assert that our diet choices may play a significant role in either accelerating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases. The study focused on initial signs of Parkinsons that can appear long before noticeable symptoms like tremors or stiffness. Early indicators include body pain, changes in smell or vision, and excessive sleepiness, which are crucial to identify. Eating an average of 11 servings of ultraprocessed food daily results in a 2.5-fold increase in showing early Parkinson's symptoms compared to those who consume merely three servings. Even when adjusting for variables like age, lifestyle, and smoking, the risk remains. As Dr. Gao points out, Parkinson's is an irreversible condition. Maintaining a healthy diet of whole foods might be key to brain health. Its time to rethink whats on our plates. Eating fewer processed foods can be a vital step toward better health. Curious about how to improve your diet? Sign up for CNNs Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style, our guide to a healthier lifestyle. . A recent study suggests this could double your chances of developing Parkinson's disease. Ultraprocessed foods include common items like sugary drinks, hot dogs, packaged cakes, and even potato chips. Consuming just one serving of these daily can increase your risk. Dr. Xiang Gao, a key researcher in this study, highlights the connection between processed diets and early Parkinson's signs. Recent evidence supports the idea that what we eat may influence the development of this debilitating disease. While increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods correlates with early symptoms, it doesn't definitively link to the confirmed diagnosis of Parkinsons. Dr. Daniel van Wamelen notes that the study suggests a potential risk for future development based on these symptoms. The researchers analyzed health and diet data from nearly 43,000 participants. They documented their diets over decades, with an average age of 48 at the beginning. However, this relies on self-reported data, which can be unreliable. Common ultraprocessed foods evaluated included sugary drinks, snacks, breads, and more. Remarkably, they found links between early Parkinson's symptoms and nearly all ultraprocessed foods except for breads and cereals. One possible reason? These foods generally lack fiber and essential nutrients while containing high sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Such factors could weaken gut health, increase inflammation, and lead to nerve damage. The study's extensive participant count and long follow-up time increase its credibility. Authors assert that our diet choices may play a significant role in either accelerating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases. The study focused on initial signs of Parkinsons that can appear long before noticeable symptoms like tremors or stiffness. Early indicators include body pain, changes in smell or vision, and excessive sleepiness, which are crucial to identify. Eating an average of 11 servings of ultraprocessed food daily results in a 2.5-fold increase in showing early Parkinson's symptoms compared to those who consume merely three servings. Even when adjusting for variables like age, lifestyle, and smoking, the risk remains. As Dr. Gao points out, Parkinson's is an irreversible condition. Maintaining a healthy diet of whole foods might be key to brain health. Its time to rethink whats on our plates. Eating fewer processed foods can be a vital step toward better health. Curious about how to improve your diet? Sign up for CNNs Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style, our guide to a healthier lifestyle.