Mediterranean diet adherence was linked to fracture risk and knee pain
Associations with fractures and knee pain were small; evidence concerning osteoporosis was less certain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Higher Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with fewer new fractures in the general population. Separately, among people with knee osteoarthritis, it was associated with lower pain risk. The review rated these associations as moderately certain, but they do not establish prevention. The osteoporosis finding was less certain and remained compatible with no association.
The abstract does not define the adherence scores, give follow-up lengths, or report absolute fracture risks. These gaps limit interpretation of score differences and the size of any practical benefit.
What researchers found
New fractures
Compared with a Mediterranean diet adherence score one point lower, this indicates slightly lower relative fracture risk. Follow-up duration was not reported.
Reading the fracture ratio
The fracture ratio compares risks at adherence scores separated by one point. It describes a small relative difference, without telling us the absolute fracture risk or what specific food change a point represents.
Osteoporosis remained uncertain
The osteoporosis analysis concerned how common the condition was among adults. Its confidence interval reached the value compatible with no association, and the review judged this evidence to have low certainty.
The original publication
Efficacy of Mediterranean diet in musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis for primary and tertiary prevention featured in the Italian National Guidelines "La Dieta Mediterranea".
Limongi F, Cilona L, Guberti E et al.
Nutrition · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41223661
- Record checked
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