People who eat more ultraprocessed foods would have more likely to present early signs of the Parkinson’s disease Compared to those who do not, according to a longitudinal analysis with data of 42,853 people and a follow -up of up to 26 years.
The details are published in Neurology, the Medical Magazine of the American Academy of Neurology, and work, as the authors make clear, do not prove that eating more ultraprocessed foods causes early signs of Parkinson, Parkinson’s, It only shows an association.
Specifically, researchers sought non -motors of Parkinson’s disease in prodromic phasewhich is the earliest stage, when neurodegeneration begins but the most characteristic symptoms such as tremors, balance problems and slow movements have not yet begun. And evaluated the association between these early characteristics and the consumption of long -term processes.
According to a statement from the American Academy of Neurology, these first signals can start years or even decades before that typical symptoms appear.
“Eating a healthy diet is crucial, since it has been associated with a Less risk of neurodegenerative diseases And the dietary elections we make today can significantly influence our brain Health in the future, “says Xiang Gao, author of the study and researcher at the Nutrition Institute of the University of Fudan in Shanghai, China.
For Xiang Gao, “there is more and more evidence that diet could influence Parkinson’s development.” “Our research shows that eating too many processed foods, such as sugary sodas and packaged snacks, could be accelerating the first signs of the disease“.
In the study they participated 42,853 people with an average age of 48 years They did not suffer from Parkinson at the beginning of the work, and they were monitored up to 26 years.
The participants – professionals of health of which 25,095 are women – underwent Regular medical exams and completed health questionnaires.
Scientists, also from various centers in the United States, determined if the volunteers had early signs of Parkinson’s enginesincluding sleep behavior disorder with rapid ocular movements, depressive symptoms, body pain, constipation, alteration of the vision of colors, excessive diurnal drowsiness and reduction of olfactory capacity.
They analyzed various types of ultraprocessed foodssuch as sauces, creams to spread or condiments, packed sweets, snacks, desserts, artificially sweetened drinks or with sugar, products of animal origin, yogurt -based desserts or dairy and salty snacks packaged.
A ration was equivalent to A single drink of sodaa piece of packaged cake, a single hot puppy or a tablespoon of ketchup.
The researchers divided the participants into five groups. Above, the group that average 11 or more rations of ultraprocessed foods per day; Below, the one that would ingest less than three daily rations.
After adjusting factors such as age, physical activity and smoking, the team discovered that those who consumed 11 or more rations of daily ultraprocessed foods had a probability 2.5 times higher of presenting three or more early signs of Parkinson’s disease, compared to those who consumed less than three portions per day.
Caution and limitations of the study
“Choosing to eat less processed foods and more comprehensive and nutritious food could be a Good strategy to maintain brain health“, summarizes Xiang Gao, who nevertheless states that more studies are needed to confirm than eating less ultra -processed can slow down the first signs of Parkinson.
A limitation of the study was that The amount of ultra -processed consumed was self -repairedso participants may not have remembered with precision how much and what specific foods ate, the authors admit.
In addition, they were mostWhite Health Rofesionalwhich limits the generalization of the findings to populations with more diverse ethnic or socio -economic origins.
Daniel J. Van Wamelen, an honorary consultant neurologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience of the King’s College in London, points out that the results seem to be based on a Solid research with well -supported conclusions for the data.
However, “it is important to emphasize that the symptoms examined are possible early signs of Parkinson’s disease, No definitive indicators that someone will develop it“
“In summary, it is an interesting investigation that addresses important issues. However, the relationship with Parkinson’s disease must be considered cautiously until more definitive tests are available“, He points to Science Media Center, a platform of scientific resources for journalists.
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