Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Linked to Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

Study participants who consumed more than 10 servings of ultra-processed foods, drinks or condiments each day had a higher risk of showing early signs of Parkinson’s disease.

The findings of a new study indicate that the earliest signs of Parkinson’s disease, including depression, sleepiness and constipation, can appear in individuals who eat large amounts of ultra-processed foods, such as potato chips, sodas, hot dogs, ketchup and other junk foods.

In findings published in the medical journal Neurology on May 7, researchers indicate that individuals who consume 11 or more servings per day of ultra-processed foods are 2.5 times more likely to show early signs of Parkinson’s disease, which often appear years before onset of the illness.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological illness, which is progressive and primarily affects the body’s movement. Although it is characterized by tremors, stiffness and balance problems, early signs can include rapid eye movement, sleep disorders, constipation, depression, body pain and a reduced sense of smell.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are characterized by industrial processes, while being composed of little to no whole foods and many additives not usually found in home cooking. They include soft drinks, frozen meals, chips, crackers, deli meats, breakfast cereals and many condiments.

In recent years, a growing body of research has raised concerns about the health effects of ultra-processed foods. One recent Canadian study published in Nutrition & Metabolism linked high consumption of these products to a range of negative health outcomes, including increased body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

As a result of these kinds of studies, many families of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease have begun pursuing processed food lawsuits against the food industry, alleging that these companies have intentionally manufactured products with addictive and harmful substances that have contributed to a spike in chronic childhood disease.

In this new study, researchers led by Peilu Wang analyzed data from 42,853 participants without a history of Parkinson’s disease, using information collected from the long-term Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Over a follow-up period of up to 26 years, the team examined participants’ intake of ultra-processed foods and compared it to their likelihood of exhibiting three or more early, prodromal signs of Parkinson’s disease.

The findings showed that participants who ate more than 10 servings of ultra-processed foods each day had a 2.5 times higher chance of developing three or more early Parkinson’s disease symptoms than those who ate less than three servings of UPFs per day.

Early symptoms of Parkinson’s included rapid eye movement, certain sleep disorders, constipation, depressive symptoms, body pain, impaired color vision, daytime sleepiness and a reduced sense of smell.

“Long-term UPF consumption was positively associated with nonmotor prodromal PD features,” Wang said. “More studies are warranted to confirm whether lowering UPF consumption may prevent the occurrence of nonmotor symptoms that often precede PD diagnosis.”

May 2025 Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits

As evidence continues to grow linking ultra-processed food consumption to serious long-term health risks, individuals across the U.S. are now pursuing lawsuits against manufacturers for failing to warn consumers about the potential consequences. 

These ultra-processed food lawsuits allege that years of exposure to heavily marketed, chemically altered products contributed to conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other side effects. 

In one of the first lawsuits of its kind, a key hearing is scheduled for August 1, where a federal judge will decide whether claims brought by Bryce Martinez can proceed. Martinez alleges that his childhood type 2 diabetes was caused by prolonged exposure to ultra-processed foods. The outcome of this case could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of junk food litigation nationwide.

Martinez alleges he developed type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease after years of consuming heavily marketed ultra-processed foods. His lawsuit targets many major food companies, including Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, Nestle and General Mills, accusing them of promoting addictive, nutrient-poor products to children despite the known health risks.

For individuals who consumed these kinds of food products and later developed chronic health conditions, ultra-processed foods attorneys are offering free case reviews and evaluations. Lawyers handle all UPF lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees or expenses unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is obtained on an individual’s behalf.