The Connection Between Ultra-Processed Foods and MS

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may exacerbate disease activity in early multiple sclerosis (MS), according to research unveiled at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2025). The study, lead by Dr. Gloria Dalla Costa,suggests a potential link between diet and the progression of MS,offering a new avenue for complementary treatment strategies.

Researchers discovered that increased UPF consumption correlated with more frequent relapses and greater lesion activity detected through MRI scans. This indicates that dietary choices could play a important role in managing the disease, alongside conventional medical treatments.

Study Methodology and Findings

The research analyzed data from 451 patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) – the initial clinical manifestation of MS – who participated in the BENEFIT trial. Participants were monitored for up to five years. The BENEFIT trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, originally investigated the efficacy of interferon beta-1b in patients with CIS; this new analysis leverages existing data to explore dietary factors. Clinically Isolated Syndrome is defined as a first neurological event suggestive of MS.

To assess UPF intake, researchers utilized a previously established metabolomic signature – a profile of 39 plasma metabolites – developed by colleagues at Harvard University. This signature was applied to baseline plasma samples to calculate individual UPF scores. This approach offers a more objective measure of UPF consumption than relying on self-reported dietary data, which can be subject to recall bias.

While UPF scores weren’t associated with the *conversion* from CIS to clinically definite MS, higher scores at the study’s outset were linked to:

• Greater T1 hypointense lesion volume, indicating more severe tissue damage.
• Lower neurological function scores.

Over the five-year follow-up period, participants in the highest quartile of UPF consumption experienced approximately 30% more relapses than those in the lowest quartile. This suggests a dose-response relationship between UPF intake and disease activity.