Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that causes red, itchy and scaly patches to develop on the skin. These patches can appear anywhere on the body, but common areas include the palms, soles, nails and more sensitive regions. Approximately 2 to 3% of people worldwide live with psoriasis, a condition that often requires ongoing treatment to manage symptoms.

Treatments like light therapy, medications and biologic drugs can help, but there’s currently no cure. Unfortunately, psoriasis doesn’t just affect the skin; it’s also linked to other health issues, such as heart disease, Crohn’s disease and mental health struggles like anxiety or depression. Interestingly, diet may play a role in psoriasis because certain foods can influence inflammation in the body.

A growing area of research is looking at ultra-processed foods (UPFs), or foods that are highly processed with added sugars, fats and artificial ingredients. Studies show that these foods may contribute to inflammation and could be a factor in worsening psoriasis. With UPFs making up over half of daily calorie intake in countries like the U.S., Canada and the U.K., understanding their impact on chronic conditions like psoriasis is more important than ever.

To investigate the relationship between the consumption of UPFs and the risk of psoriasis, researchers conducted a study on this very topic, and the results were published in Nutrients.

How Was This Study Conducted?

To determine whether there is a link between intake of ultra-processed foods and psoriasis risk, researchers analysed data from The UK Biobank, which is a massive research project aimed at understanding how our genetics and lifestyles influence the development of diseases. 

In this cohort, participants answered questions about their health, diet, and lifestyle through interviews and questionnaires. For this analysis, the researchers excluded participants who started the study with psoriasis, people who left the study early and those whose reported daily calorie intake seemed unrealistic. After these adjustments, the study included 121,019 participants.

The research also examined ultra-processed foods intake, which included foods like packaged snacks, soft drinks, ready-to-eat meals, and industrially processed breads. These types of foods may contain many artificial ingredients and are designed for convenience and long shelf life. Researchers used an online diet questionnaire to calculate how much ultra-processed food participants ate daily, based on the type and portion size of their food. They then grouped participants by UPF consumption levels to better understand the health impact of these foods. Researchers also collected information on whether participants developed psoriasis. 

To better understand factors that might influence health outcomes, the study also considered various personal and lifestyle factors like age, gender, ethnicity—categorized as white or other)—body mass index (BMI), energy intake from food and drinks, physical activity levels, smoking and drinking habits and socioeconomic status. 

What Did The Study Find?

The analysis showed that eating more ultra-processed foods may be linked to an increased risk of developing psoriasis, and part of this potential link is due to low-level inflammation in the body. Another factor, body mass index (BMI), played an even bigger role, accounting for 27.15% of the connection. This means that both inflammation and a higher BMI may contribute to the link between ultra-processed food consumption and psoriasis risk.

Neither sex, age, body weight, smoking habits, alcohol use or physical activity levels had a significant impact on this link, which means that the risk associated with eating ultra-processed food was similar no matter the differences in these characteristics.

The study did find that the risk of developing psoriasis increased as genetic risk levels moved from low to high. When looking at both genetic risk and ultra-processed food consumption together, participants with a high genetic risk who also consumed the most UPFs were 2.7 times more likely to develop psoriasis compared to those with a low genetic risk and the least UPF consumption. 

The researchers also examined what would happen if people replaced some of the ultra-processed foods in their diet with healthier options like unprocessed or minimally processed foods. The results showed that if 5% of UPFs were swapped out with foods that were not ultra-processed, the risk of developing psoriasis dropped by 14%. Replacing 10% of UPFs resulted in a 17% reduction in risk, and replacing 20% of UPFs lowered the risk by 18%. These numbers suggest that even small changes toward healthier eating can have a meaningful impact on reducing psoriasis risk.

As the researchers note, there are some limitations to consider when accepting these findings. First, some cases of psoriasis were reported by participants themselves, so there’s a chance they may not be entirely accurate. Second, most people in the study were between the ages of 40 and 69, with an average age of 56, which coincides with a common age range for psoriasis onset. This means these results might not apply to everyone, including younger or more diverse populations. 

Third, while the food diaries provided useful insights into dietary habits, having just two records might not fully capture changes in diet over time. Plus, sorting foods into categories like “ultra-processed” isn’t perfect, and it may have slightly underestimated their negative effects. It’s important to note that this study is observational in nature, meaning it examines associations rather than proving direct cause-and-effect relationships. 

How Does This Apply to Real Life?

Understanding the connection between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and psoriasis risk has practical implications for daily life, especially for those managing psoriasis or seeking to prevent it. Since UPFs are prevalent in diets across many countries, reducing their intake even slightly could potentially help lessen the likelihood of developing psoriasis or worsening its symptoms. 

For example, small changes, like swapping sugary snacks for fresh fruits or choosing whole grains over white breads, may contribute to lower inflammation and a healthier BMI—both factors shown to affect psoriasis risk. These adjustments don’t require drastic overhauls, but they can be incremental steps toward more balanced, whole-food eating habits.

Furthermore, for those with a family history of psoriasis or other inflammatory conditions, being mindful of UPF consumption might provide an extra layer of proactive care. While managing psoriasis may already involve medications or therapies, integrating dietary improvements adds another tool to combat symptoms and enhance overall well-being.

Some ways to limit ultra-processed foods include:

• Reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and replace them with water, herbal teas, or freshly squeezed juices. 
• Choosing whole-grain options over refined grains, such as brown rice or whole-grain bread. 
• Snacking on whole food options like nuts, seeds or yogurt rather than processed alternatives.
• Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into daily meals and using them as the foundation for snacks. 

The Bottom Line

Research published in Nutrients suggests a potential link between ultra-processed food intake and psoriasis risk. Managing psoriasis can feel overwhelming, but this research provides a hopeful message: small, realistic dietary changes may make a meaningful difference. You don’t need to completely overhaul your eating habits overnight. Instead, focus on gradually replacing ultra-processed foods with less-processed alternatives. For example, swapping out packaged snacks for fresh fruit or choosing homemade meals over ready-to-eat options may be manageable first steps.

While no single solution exists for managing psoriasis, combining dietary improvements with medical treatments and healthy lifestyle practices can create a well-rounded approach. It’s important to remember that diet isn’t a cure, but rather one piece of the puzzle in managing this condition. Consulting with healthcare professionals, such as a dermatologist or dietitian, can help tailor strategies to your specific needs.