A daily fiber supplement reduced knee arthritis pain and improved strength - Date: - July 25, 2026 - Source: - University of Nottingham - Summary: - A prebiotic fiber supplement reduced knee osteoarthritis pain while also improving grip strength and pain sensitivity in a six-week trial. The results hint at a fascinating gut-muscle-pain connection and suggest that a simple daily supplement may be easier to maintain than digital physiotherapy. - Share: A daily prebiotic fiber supplement may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a new clinical trial.

Participants who took the supplement also showed stronger grip and reduced sensitivity to pain, while the group had far fewer dropouts than those assigned to a digital physiotherapy program. Researchers at the University of Nottingham led the INSPIRE clinical trial, which tested inulin, a natural dietary fiber found in chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, and other vegetables. Taking inulin each day significantly reduced pain among participants with OA.

Published in the journal Nutrients, the findings indicate that supporting gut health could provide a new way to manage a widespread and disabling condition that commonly affects older adults. A Simpler Approach to Knee Osteoarthritis Hundreds of millions of people worldwide live with knee OA, which is a major cause of chronic pain and disability, especially later in life. Treatment often involves pain medication, which can produce side effects, or exercise programs that some patients find difficult to continue over time.

"This study raises the exciting possibility that a simple dietary change -- adding a fiber supplement to your breakfast or yogurt -- could meaningfully reduce pain and improve physical function," said Dr. Afroditi Kouraki, lead author of the study from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham. How Prebiotic Fiber May Influence Pain The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria that live in the digestive system and affect many aspects of health, including the way the body experiences pain.

Inulin is a prebiotic, which means it provides nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria. When these bacteria consume inulin, they produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). One of the most important is butyrate, a compound that can affect inflammation and the biological pathways involved in pain throughout the body.

Participants who received inulin had higher levels of both butyrate and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) -- a gut hormone associated with pain regulation and muscle health. Increased GLP-1 levels were also linked to better grip strength, suggesting a possible connection between gut health and muscle function that researchers believe deserves further study. Inulin and Physiotherapy Reduced Pain The six-week randomized controlled trial included 117 adults with knee OA.

Participants were divided into four groups that received inulin alone, digital physiotherapy-supported exercise (PSE) alone, both treatments together, or a placebo. Inulin and physiotherapy each reduced knee pain independently. However, only the inulin group experienced improved grip strength and lower pain sensitivity.