A common type of dietary fiber may help reduce pain linked to knee osteoarthritis, according to new research exploring the connection between gut health and chronic joint pain. Scientists found that taking a daily prebiotic fiber supplement called inulin significantly reduced pain sensitivity and improved physical strength in people with knee osteoarthritis.
The six-week clinical trial followed 117 adults and compared four groups: inulin supplementation, physiotherapy-supported exercise, a combination of both, and a placebo. Participants who took inulin experienced reduced knee pain and improved grip strength, a marker of physical function. Researchers also found higher levels of beneficial gut compounds such as butyrate and the hormone GLP-1, which are linked to inflammation control, muscle health and pain regulation.
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and disability in older adults. While treatments often rely on medications or exercise programs that many people struggle to maintain, the study suggests improving gut health may offer another approach. Researchers say supporting beneficial gut bacteria through prebiotic fiber could help influence pain pathways in the body and may represent a simple addition to daily routines for people living with arthritis.
SOURCE:
News Medical, March 12, 2026