Higher ultraprocessed food consumption also was associated with increased odds of individual prodromal Parkinson's features, including probable rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, constipation, body pain, and depressive symptoms, Wang and colleagues reported in Neurology.

"There's growing evidence that diet might influence the development of Parkinson's disease," Gao continued. "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."

Researchers found that consumption of ultra-processed foods was linked with correlating levels of high blood pressure and cholesterol, and was not affected by an individual's age, size and level of activity.