Parkinson's Disease and Sugar Intake-Reasons for and Consequences of a Still Unclear Craving

Lately, studies have shown that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) report a strong craving for sweets and consume significantly more fast-acting carbohydrates than healthy controls. Consuming food with a high-sugar content is assumed to lead to an increase in insulin concentration, which could positively influence dopamine concentration in the brain and unconsciously be used by patients as kind of self-medication to compensate for a lack of dopamine in PD. On the other hand, high-sugar intake could also lead to insulin resistance and diabetes, which is discussed as a causative factor for progressive neurodegeneration in PD. In this critical appraisal, we discuss the role of sugar intake and insulin on dopamine metabolism in patients with PD and how this could influence the potential neurodegeneration mediated by insulin resistance.

Automated summary

Studies show that patients with Parkinson's disease have a strong craving for sweets and consume more high-sugar food. This high-sugar intake may increase insulin concentration, which can positively affect dopamine concentration in the brain and act as self-medication to compensate for dopamine deficiency. However, it may also lead to insulin resistance and diabetes, which are discussed as causes for progressive neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.