19 March 2026
Research findings revealed - how important is diet when managing Psoriasis?
This week is Nutrition and Hydration Week – and we’re pleased to share that the findings of a recent study into diet and psoriasis, conducted by one of our PhD students, has been published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Although many people with psoriasis believe diet plays an important role in managing their condition, there are currently no official dietary guidelines specifically for psoriasis in the UK. In this study, PhD student Sylvia Zanesco at King’s College London along with supervisors, Professor Wendy Hall, Dr Thivi Maruthappu and colleagues, set out to understand potential links between what people with psoriasis eat and how severe their symptoms are.
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Data was collected from 257 adults with psoriasis, who were asked to share information about their average diet and the severity of their psoriasis via an online questionnaire.
What were the findings of the study?
It is important to note that the methods used in this study cannot prove that diet causes changes in psoriasis severity. Randomised controlled trials are needed to test whether changing what people eat can directly improve symptoms. The study cannot prove cause and effect, only that these relationships exist.
However, this research does suggest that some food sources are linked to worse psoriasis symptoms. For example, people who consumed soft drinks and sweetened beverages were more likely to have severe psoriasis. Red and processed meat was also associated with greater psoriasis severity.
Are there any recommended foods or diets for managing psoriasis?
Although many people with psoriasis believe diet plays an important role in managing their condition, there are currently no official dietary guidelines specifically for psoriasis in the UK.
However, the findings of this research do support the idea that some dietary habits may be helpful for people with psoriasis – these include:
✔ Prioritising plant-based protein (beans, lentils, tofu) –
thismay benefit
psoriasis through reduced inflammation, better gut health and healthier body
weight.
✔
Eating more nuts and high-fibre foods – only 22% of participants in the study that reported severe
psoriasis were meeting the recommended daily fibre intake.
✔
Increasing variety of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains – participants reporting severe
psoriasis consumed more than double the recommended limit of ‘free sugars’,
such as soft drinks and juices. Increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables and
wholegrains will help to keep down your ‘free sugar’ intake.
It is also important to note that these identified links were weakened when body weight was taken into account, suggesting that BMI plays a key role.
We are incredibly proud to accelerate research that makes a real difference to people living with psoriasis, through continued support, and by funding PhD students like Sylvia. Congratulations to the research team on this accomplishment!
Find out more
You can also view Sylvia's talk from our 2025 Annual Conference on YouTube: