It can cause the swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness that come with some kinds of arthritis. Some very early studies in animals or in small numbers of people with certain types of arthritis suggest, but do not prove, that changes in diet may help. The results of these studies are experimental. They need to be studied further in large numbers of people. So, there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend dietary changes to people with arthritis, other than weight control.
Researchers test the role of diet in arthritis in certain ways.
They accept that there is a connection between diet and arthritis only after a number of studies show the same results. To test what effect a diet may have on arthritis, researchers will have one group of people with arthritis try a test diet. The foods in this diet are thought to make arthritis better or worse. A second group of people stays on a diet that does not contain the foods being tested. Neither the researchers nor the people in the study are told who is in which group.