Most people think of healthy eating as a way to manage weight or prevent disease. But new research from the University of South Australia shows it may also help ease chronic pain, even beyond the effects of weight loss.
In a three-month study of 104 adults with overweight or obesity, participants followed the Australian Dietary Guidelines, which emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while limiting alcohol and discretionary foods. On average, participants improved their diet quality by 22% and lost about 7 kilograms (15 pounds).
But the striking finding was that reductions in chronic musculoskeletal pain, the everyday aches in muscles and joints that affect quality of life, were linked more strongly to diet quality than to weight loss itself. Pain prevalence dropped from 50% of participants at the start of the study to 24% at the end, with many reporting less pain severity and improved daily function.
“Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common and debilitating conditions worldwide,” said lead researcher Sue Ward, a PhD candidate at the University of South Australia. “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.”
Co-researcher Dr. Alison Hill added that the results reinforce the importance of following dietary guidelines.
“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 study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, highlights the role of nutrition in pain management strategies, suggesting that dietary improvements could complement other treatments for people living with chronic pain. While larger and longer trials are needed, the findings add to growing evidence that diet quality influences not only disease risk but also everyday wellbeing.
The trial was approved by the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee and registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Researchers reported no commercial funding.