Most of us know that a healthy diet can help prevent disease and improve long-term health.
But new research from the University of South Australia suggests that what we eat may also have a more immediate benefit—reducing chronic pain.
In a study involving 104 Australian adults living with overweight or obesity, researchers tested whether improving diet quality could ease musculoskeletal pain.
Over a three-month period, participants followed the Australian Dietary Guidelines, focusing on more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while cutting back on processed foods, sugary snacks, and alcohol.
The results, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, were striking.
Not only did participants lose an average of seven kilograms, but they also reported significantly less joint and muscle pain. Importantly, the improvement in pain levels could not be explained by weight loss alone.
Lead researcher Sue Ward, a Ph.D. candidate at UniSA, says this finding challenges the common belief that weight loss is the main driver of pain reduction.
“Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common and debilitating conditions worldwide,” Ward explained.
“While excess weight does place extra stress on the joints, our study shows that diet quality itself also plays an independent role in easing pain. This is an encouraging result for people living with chronic pain.”
After three months, participants improved their diet quality by 22 percent. Reports of chronic musculoskeletal pain fell from 50 percent to just 24 percent. Those who continued to experience pain described it as less severe and said their pain interfered less with their quality of life.
The study also measured energy intake, showing that participants reduced their daily consumption by around 30 percent, from 9,100 to 5,800 kilojoules. Yet the link between better diet and reduced pain remained even after accounting for changes in weight, waist size, and body fat.
Co-researcher Dr. Alison Hill highlighted the broader message of the findings. “Eating well isn’t just about preventing heart disease or diabetes decades down the track—it can also affect how we feel right now,” she said. “A healthier diet may bring meaningful reductions in pain that can improve daily well-being.”
Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability.
While weight loss and physical activity remain important strategies for managing pain, this research underscores the vital role of nutrition.
By showing that dietary improvements alone can ease pain, the study adds to growing evidence that food choices influence not only physical health but also quality of life in the present.
For those struggling with ongoing pain, the findings offer hope: adopting a healthier diet may bring not only long-term health benefits but also immediate relief.
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Source: University of South Australia.
