New research finds diet patterns — particularly protein sources and sugary drinks — are strongly associated with psoriasis severity, prompting calls to integrate nutrition guidance into routine care.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Dietary habits may play a measurable role in the severity of psoriasis symptoms, according to new research published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The study, conducted by investigators at King’s College London, found that higher intake of meat-based protein and sugary beverages was associated with more severe psoriasis, while plant-based protein intake appeared protective.
The findings come from the Asking People with Psoriasis about Lifestyle and Eating (APPLE) project, which analyzed dietary and health data from 257 adults in the United Kingdom diagnosed with psoriasis. Researchers reported that participants commonly exceeded recommended intake levels for free sugars while falling short on dietary fiber, a pattern that correlated with greater disease severity.
One of the most significant observations involved protein sources. Participants whose diets contained a higher proportion of total protein from meat were substantially more likely to report severe psoriasis symptoms. Individuals in the third quartile for meat-based protein intake had 2.47 times the odds of experiencing severe disease compared with those consuming the lowest amounts.
In contrast, higher consumption of plant-derived protein was linked to lower reported severity. Those with greater plant protein intake had 0.36 times the odds of reporting severe psoriasis. “Prioritising plant-based foods may be beneficial to people living with psoriasis,” the study authors wrote.
The analysis also identified sugar-sweetened beverages as a significant dietary factor. Participants with the highest intake of free sugars from drinks were 3.85 times more likely to report severe psoriasis. Researchers noted that body weight appeared to influence this relationship, suggesting sugary beverages may represent a particularly important dietary target for overweight individuals seeking symptom improvement.
The study aligns with related research from the same investigative team, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, which found that lower adherence to plant-rich dietary patterns was associated with worse psoriasis outcomes. “Our findings point to the potential benefits of dietary interventions in improving patient outcomes,” said lead researcher Sylvia Zanesco, a Ph.D. student at King’s College London.
Senior author Professor Wendy Hall emphasized the broader clinical implications. “This research brings much-needed evidence that there may be a role for dietary advice, alongside standard clinical care, in managing symptoms of psoriasis,” Hall said.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by scaly, inflamed skin lesions and systemic immune activation. While treatment typically focuses on topical therapies, systemic medications and biologics, researchers increasingly are examining the role of the gut-skin axis and dietary influences on inflammation.
The authors cautioned that the study was observational and does not establish cause and effect. However, the consistent associations between protein source, sugar intake and symptom severity provide a foundation for future investigation. The research team has called for randomized controlled trials to determine whether targeted dietary modifications, including increased plant-based protein consumption, can directly reduce disease burden.
For individuals managing psoriasis, the findings suggest that nutritional patterns may be an important complement to medical treatment. Researchers say integrating dietary guidance into routine care could represent a practical strategy to support symptom management while broader clinical trials continue to evaluate the therapeutic impact of specific dietary interventions.
Source: Natural News
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