THE ESSENTIAL
- An Australian study shows that a healthy diet can reduce the intensity of chronic pain, regardless of weight, excess of which is a known risk factor.
- By following a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats, pain tends to decrease, especially in women.
- The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of foods could explain this effect, although the causal link remains to be determined.
In France, nearly 12 million adults suffer from chronic pain, according to the High Authority for Health (HAS). Defined as persistent pain lasting more than three months, it can result from various conditions such as arthritis, migraines or back problems. Invisible but omnipresent, it affects the ability to work, move or enjoy life to the fullest.
However, while drug treatments are often necessary, lifestyle interventions, such as adopting a healthy and balanced diet, can also be effective, at least in addition, to relieve chronic pain. This is the conclusion of a new study from the University of South Australia, published in the journal Nutrition Research.
A healthy diet for pain
Researchers found that following Australian dietary recommendations – a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and dairy products – was associated with a reduction in the intensity of body pain. This correlation is particularly observed in women, regardless of weight or body composition: those benefiting from a better quality diet have lower levels of pain, as well as better physical function. Although noticeable, this effect remains less marked in men.
“Changing your diet can be an additional solution for people suffering from chronic pain, explains doctoral student Sue Ward, co-author of the study, in a press release. Our results show that diet quality has a direct impact on pain levels, regardless of body mass. This is important to note because being overweight or obese is a known risk factor for chronic pain.”
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Researchers suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of healthy foods, rich in essential nutrients, could explain this reduction in pain. Other studies have notably shown that the Mediterranean diet, rich in anti-inflammatory foods, omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like salmon and flaxseed, as well as antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, can have a soothing effect on inflammation and therefore pain.
But the causal relationship remains to be clarified, according to scientists: “We cannot yet determine whether it is the poor diet that generates more pain, or whether it is the pain that leads to eating less healthily.”
