Research shows diet has potential to help people with MS

We know eating healthily is important for our wellbeing. There’s some research which suggests changing your diet might improve MS symptoms. People living with MS sometimes report benefits when changing their diet. But there are lots of different approaches and people may receive conflicting advice.  And we know that what we eat is a very personal choice.

A new study has brought together lots of existing research to better understand this. It identified which foods have the most potential to help people living with MS manage symptoms and possibly reduce disability.

What did they find?

They found some evidence that adopting a diet rich in certain foods is linked to improved quality of life and reduced disability among people living with MS. 

The food groups the researchers recommend eating more of are:

• vegetables and fruit
• legumes like chickpeas and lentils
• whole grain cereals
• fish 
• food rich in fibre

Diet wasn’t associated with changes in fatigue, depression, anxiety or relapses. There also wasn’t enough evidence to say whether diet had an impact on MRI outcomes, like changes to lesions.

Read more about diet and nutrition for people with MS

Why is this important?

Led by UK scientists, an international team of researchers reviewed evidence from around the world. They looked at observational studies, where researchers combine real-life information about people’s diets and their MS. This is the first time the link between diet and MS progression has been studied in this way.

Read more about research we’re funding into diet and MS

What does this mean for people with MS?

The researchers suggest that people with MS could try adopting a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grain cereals, fish and fibre. This has the most potential to improve quality of life and reduce disability.

This doesn’t mean that switching your diet will stop MS. And more research is needed to confirm these associations.

For most people with MS the best diet is a healthy, varied one. And having a healthy diet is known to have lots of benefits.