Higher ultra-processed food consumption is associated with higher likelihood of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.
PMID 41916081 | DOI 10.1016/j.msard.2026.107159 · Multiple sclerosis and related disorders · 2026
BACKGROUND: Diets are increasingly dominated by ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to several chronic diseases. Emerging evidence suggests an association between ultra-processed food consumption and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between consumption of ultra-processed foods and paediatric-onset MS (PoMS). METHODS: We used data from the microbiome sub-study of the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network Study for PoMS cases (symptom onset aged <18 years) and unaffected controls. Data on consumption of ultra-processed foods (defined within the Nova system) were derived from dietary intake data collected using the Block Kids Food Screener. Dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods (% of total grams consumed per day) was estimated. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between ultra-processed food consumption (continuous and tertiles) and likelihood of PoMS. Models were adjusted for age at dietary data collection, sex, race, region of residence, and total energy intake. RESULTS: Dietary data were collected from PoMS participants (females=57, males=23) aged 5-28 years and controls (females=30, males=16) aged 8-26 years. Each additional 10% in ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a 35% higher odds of being a PoMS participant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.35, 95% CI 1.05, 1.73). Participants in the highest (versus lowest) tertile for ultra-processed food consumption had over five times higher odds of being a PoMS participant (aOR=5.30, 95% CI 1.36, 20.70). CONCLUSION: Participants with PoMS reported greater consumption of ultra-processed foods compared to unaffected peers. More comprehensive longitudinal dietary histories are required to better understand this observation.
Validated evidence
| Type | Entity | Source evidence | Confidence | Extractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| phenotype | multiple sclerosis | “Higher ultra-processed food consumption is associated with higher likelihood of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.” | 0.98 | phenotype_alias_lexicon_v2 |
| population | Population | “RESULTS: Dietary data were collected from PoMS participants (females=57, males=23) aged 5-28 years and controls (females=30, males=16) aged 8-26 years.” | 0.80 | saudi_context_rules_v1 |