Higher ultra-processed food consumption is associated with higher likelihood of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis

The prevalence of ultra-processed food in modern diets raises important health questions, particularly regarding its relationship with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent research has begun to explore the potential connections between the intake of these foods and the onset of inflammatory conditions, including pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (PoMS).

This study aimed to investigate these associations using data from the microbiome sub-study of the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network Study. The analysis involved PoMS cases—individuals with symptom onset before age 18—and matched unaffected controls. Researchers assessed dietary intake of ultra-processed foods using the NOVA classification system and the Block Kids Food Screener to collect relevant data. The contribution of these foods was quantified as a percentage of total daily grams consumed, and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between ultra-processed food consumption and the likelihood of PoMS, adjusting for demographic factors such as age, sex, race, region, and total energy intake.

Dietary information was collected from participants aged 5 to 28 years, including 57 females and 23 males with PoMS, and 30 females and 16 males in the control group, aged 8 to 26 years. Findings revealed that for each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption, the odds of being classified as a PoMS participant increased by 35%. Notably, individuals in the highest tertile of ultra-processed food consumption had over fivefold higher odds of being a PoMS participant compared to those in the lowest tertile (aOR = 5.30, 95% CI 1.36-20.70).

The study highlights that PoMS participants tend to consume more ultra-processed foods than their unaffected counterparts. Further research with comprehensive longitudinal dietary assessments is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this association. [NPID: Multiple Sclerosis, ultraprocessed food, pediatric]

Year: 2026

Reference: Machado, P., Mazahery, H., Black, L. J., Tremlett, H., Daly, A., Pham, N. M., Tessema, G. A., Zhu, F., Banwell, B., Bar-Or, A., Marrie, R. A., Bernstein, C. N., Mirza, A. I., Yeh, E. A., Waubant, E., O'Mahony, J., Dunlop, E., & Canadian Demyelinating Disease Network (2026). Higher ultra-processed food consumption is associated with higher likelihood of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 109, 107159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2026.107159