Chronic pain is estimated to affect 20 to 30 percent of the world’s population. A healthy dietary pattern may help. A study of 654 Australian adults ages 18 to 89 years found that better diet quality was associated with less body pain, especially in women. Even though having overweight or obesity increases risk for pain, healthy eating was associated with less pain at any weight. Dietary patterns associated with a higher risk of pain were high in calories, refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and saturated fats and low in vegetables and fruit. In women, lower levels of pain were associated with higher intake of vegetables, fruit, dairy, and unsaturated fats. The effect was seen in men as well, but it did not reach the level of statistical significance.
