London - Eating foods such as spinach that are rich in magnesium could ease knee pain, suggests a new US study.
It found that people with high levels of magnesium in their diet are less likely to have osteoarthritis of the knee.
Scientists from the University of North Carolina scanned the knees of more than 2,000 patients and found those who ate the highest amount of the nutrient were half as likely to have evidence of arthritis.
One in ten people in the UK over 65 are thought to have a major disability due to osteoarthritis, in most cases in the hips or knees.
It’s thought that magnesium strengthens bone and cartilage - around half of the mineral in the body is found in bone - and experts believe it aids calcium metabolism, which is crucial for bone-building.
Green vegetables are good sources of magnesium because the chlorophyll molecule, which gives the green colour, is rich in it. Other sources include beans, peas and nuts. - Daily Mail