New research from the University of South Australia shows that eating nutritious foods is about far more than ticking off the five food groups – it can also significantly reduce chronic pain.
In a weight-loss study of 104 Australian adults living with overweight or obesity, researchers found that people who improved their diet quality over a three-month period reported far less joint and muscle pain, with the benefits not simply explained by weight lost.
The findings challenge common assumptions that weight loss is the primary way to reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain, highlighting the power of diet quality in managing health and wellbeing.
The lead researcher said the results open new doors for pain management strategies stating
“chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common and debilitating conditions worldwide. While excess weight is often thought to put stress on joints and drive pain, our study shows that what you eat may independently influence chronic pain”.
While weight loss helps many people, this study suggests that improving diet quality itself also eases the severity of people’s pain, a very hopeful finding for people living with chronic pain.
About the study
The three-month dietary intervention reduced participants’ energy intake by 30% (from about 2100 to 1400 calories per day) by following the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
After three months, participants had not only improved the quality of their diet (through the consumption of more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats/alternatives) but also reduced their intake of discretionary foods and alcohol.
Specifically, they improved diet quality by 22%, reduced chronic musculoskeletal pain from 50% to 24%, and reported less pain severity and better pain-related quality of life. Most participants had also lost around seven kilograms of body weight.
Importantly, in the participants presenting with pain, researchers found that despite changes in weight, waist circumference and body fat improvements in pain severity were directly linked to their improved diet quality.
“Eating well isn’t just about long-term disease prevention – it can also have an immediate and tangible impact on how we feel day to day,” the researchers said.
While more research needs to be done, the study underscores the vital role of nutrition in chronic pain management and adds to a growing body of evidence that healthy eating supports both physical and mental health.
Source: European Journal of Nutrition, August 23, 2025
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