Researchers are testing whether eating a Mediterranean diet—lots of vegetables, fruits, fish, and olive oil—might help people with Parkinson’s disease feel better and slow down their symptoms. This is important because current medicines only treat symptoms, not the disease itself. Scientists will have 44 people either stick with their normal diet or switch to a Mediterranean diet for 6 months, then measure changes in movement, mood, digestion, and overall quality of life. This study could show whether what we eat plays a real role in managing this brain disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a Mediterranean diet (rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, and olive oil) can improve symptoms and slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease
  • Who participated: 44 people with Parkinson’s disease, aged 40-85 years old, split into two equal groups
  • Key finding: This is a study plan, not yet completed results. Researchers will measure whether the Mediterranean diet group shows better movement control, fewer non-movement symptoms, and improved quality of life compared to people eating their normal diet
  • What it means for you: If results are positive, it could suggest that dietary changes might be a helpful, non-medication way to manage Parkinson’s symptoms. However, this is early-stage research, so people should not make major diet changes without talking to their doctor first

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers will randomly assign 44 people with Parkinson’s disease into two groups: one group continues eating normally (the control group), while the other group follows a modified Mediterranean diet for 6 months. Neither the participants nor the researchers measuring results will know which group is which, which helps prevent bias. The Mediterranean diet focuses on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and olive oil while limiting red meat and processed foods. Before and after the 6-month period, researchers will measure multiple aspects of health including movement abilities, mood, digestion, and overall well-being.

This research design is important because it can show whether diet actually causes improvements, not just whether people who eat Mediterranean diets happen to feel better. By randomly assigning people and keeping researchers ‘blind’ to which group is which, the study reduces the chance that expectations or other factors skew the results. Testing both movement symptoms and non-movement symptoms (like mood and digestion) gives a complete picture of how diet might help.

This study has several strengths: it’s randomized (reducing bias), it’s controlled (comparing against a normal diet), and it measures multiple health outcomes. However, the sample size is relatively small (44 people), which means results may not apply to everyone. The study is also single-center (one location), which could limit how well findings apply to different populations. This is a protocol paper describing the plan, not yet the actual results, so we don’t yet know if the diet will actually help.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the research plan rather than actual results. The main measurement will be the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), which scores how well people can move and perform daily activities. Researchers will compare scores between the Mediterranean diet group and the normal diet group after 6 months to see if the Mediterranean diet group improved more. They will also measure non-movement symptoms like mood, sleep, and thinking problems, which are often as bothersome as movement problems for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Beyond movement and mood, researchers will examine how the diet affects the immune system, gut bacteria, and chemical markers in blood and urine that relate to inflammation and metabolism. They’ll also measure digestive symptoms and constipation, which are common problems in Parkinson’s disease. These additional measurements might help explain how diet could help—for example, by reducing inflammation or improving gut health.

Previous studies have shown that people with Parkinson’s disease who eat Mediterranean-style diets tend to have slower disease progression and better symptom control. However, most of these studies were observational—researchers just watched what people ate and how they did, without assigning them to specific diets. This new study is important because it actually assigns people to eat a Mediterranean diet, which is stronger evidence that the diet itself causes the benefits rather than other factors.

The study is small (only 44 people), so results may not apply to everyone with Parkinson’s disease. It’s also at a single center in Italy, so findings might differ in other countries or populations. The 6-month study period is relatively short—we don’t know if benefits would continue longer or if they would fade. Additionally, people who volunteer for diet studies might be more motivated than average, which could affect results. The study hasn’t been completed yet, so we don’t have actual findings to evaluate.

The Bottom Line

This is a research protocol, not yet completed, so no clinical recommendations can be made yet. However, the Mediterranean diet is already recommended by many health organizations for general health and brain health. People with Parkinson’s disease interested in trying this diet should discuss it with their neurologist or a dietitian to ensure it fits their individual needs and medications. Confidence level: Preliminary—waiting for study results.

This research is relevant to people with Parkinson’s disease and their families, neurologists treating Parkinson’s patients, and anyone interested in how diet affects brain health. People with Parkinson’s disease who struggle with movement, mood, or digestive symptoms might find this especially relevant. However, people should not make major diet changes based on this protocol alone—they should wait for actual results and consult their healthcare provider.

The study will run for 6 months of intervention with measurements before and after. Researchers typically need several months after data collection to analyze results and publish findings, so actual results likely won’t be available for 12-18 months from the study start date. Any benefits from diet changes typically take weeks to months to become noticeable.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily diet adherence to Mediterranean diet principles (servings of vegetables, fruits, fish, olive oil use) alongside weekly movement and mood scores using a simple 1-10 scale
  • Users could set a goal to add one Mediterranean diet element per week (like adding fish twice weekly, using olive oil instead of butter, or increasing vegetable servings) while tracking how they feel
  • Weekly check-ins on diet adherence and symptom changes, with monthly reviews comparing trends in movement ability, mood, energy, and digestion to identify patterns between diet and symptoms

This article describes a research study protocol, not completed results. The Mediterranean diet has shown promise in observational studies of Parkinson’s disease, but this randomized trial has not yet been completed. People with Parkinson’s disease should not make significant dietary changes without consulting their neurologist or healthcare provider, as diet can interact with Parkinson’s medications and individual needs vary. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Results from this study, when available, should be discussed with your healthcare team before making dietary changes.