Association between wide-ranging food intake and Parkinson’s disease: a comprehensive mendelian randomization study

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, including dietary habits. Despite considerable research, the relationship between food intake and PD risk remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the association between a wide spectrum of food intake and PD risk. Utilizing data from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and dietary databases, we constructed genetic instruments for various dietary factors, including fruit, vegetable, meat, fish, dairy, and grain intake, among others, totaling 170 different food items. Using multivariable inverse variance weighted methods, we found a causal relationship between Mozzarella intake and Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio [OR] = 9.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.52–38.34, P-value < 0.05). Additionally, a causal relationship was observed between Pancake intake and Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio [OR] = 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.07–0.59, P-value < 0.05). Furthermore, our reverse Mendelian randomization analysis and multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis provided further support for these findings. To our knowledge, we are the first to investigate the causal relationship between the broad intake of 170 different food items and Parkinson’s disease. Our study reveals the causal relationships between Pancake intake, and Mozzarella intake with Parkinson’s disease.