Knees at Risk: Study Highlights Top Triggers of Osteoarthritis and How Diet May Help - Video

New research from the University of Sydney reveals that obesity, having a knee injury and occupational risks such as shift work and lifting heavy loads are primary causes of knee osteoarthritis.

The study also found that following a Mediterranean diet, drinking green tea and eating dark bread could reduce the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Findings are published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

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Using data from 131 studies conducted between 1988 to 2024, the researchers examined over 150 risk factors in participants ranging from 20 to 80 years old to determine which were associated with an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.

"Knee osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that affects over 500 million people around the world and is a leading cause of disability. Our research found that while factors such as eating ultra-processed foods and being overweight increase the risk, addressing lifestyle factors -- such as losing weight or adopting a better diet -- could significantly improve people's health," Associate Professor Abdel Shaheed from the Faculty of Medicine and Health's Sydney Musculoskeletal Health said.

Reference: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/05/08/obesity-a-leading-cause-of-knee-osteoarthritis.html