Joint Pain

Overview

Evidence for joint pain supplements is limited overall, with Collagen, Ginger, and Boron rated low effect size, low evidence, medium trust, WA 44; low effect size, low evidence, medium trust, WA 44; low effect size, low evidence, medium trust, WA 44 across 12 studies combined. Collagen peptides may reduce pain during movement in young, active people, though effects at rest were not always better than placebo and benefits for older adults are less clear.

Ginger has only been tested in combination products, so its individual contribution is unknown; one combination reduced pain by about 37% but did not improve stiffness or function. Boron has very limited data with no available summary. The heatmap and evidence reviews below compare these supplements in more detail.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Collagen	★★★★★	Low
Ginger	★★★★★	Low
Boron	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

3 supplements for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

CollagenView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceHighTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Most studies show that taking collagen peptides by mouth may help reduce joint pain in young athletes, but benefits for older adults are less clear.
In young, active people, collagen supplements helped lessen joint pain during movement, though effects at rest were not always better than placebo.
The evidence for older groups is mixed, with some studies reporting small improvements and others showing no benefit.
Collagen combined with other ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin seems to help with pain and flexibility, but it’s not certain which ingredient is responsible.

Browse 8 studies

RCTImpact of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Joint Discomforts in the Lower Extremity during Daily Activities: A Randomized Controlled Trial2024n=182

In 182 adults with knee or hip pain during daily activities, 5 g/day specific collagen peptides for 12 weeks reduced rest and walking pain versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 5 g/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 182
Ages: 18+

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RCTA Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen Type II Supplement in Alleviating Joint Discomfort2021n=47

In 90 adults aged 40–65 with joint discomfort, 8 weeks of hydrolyzed chicken collagen type II reduced overall WOMAC score by 36.9% versus 14.3% with placebo at week 4.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Women
Participants: 47
Ages: 40–65

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RCTThe Influence of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Knee Joint Discomfort in Young Physically Active Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial2021n=180

In 180 active adults aged 18–30 with exercise-related knee pain, 5 g/day specific collagen peptides for 12 weeks reduced exercise-induced knee pain more than placebo (−21.9 vs −15.6 mm VAS; P=0.024).

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 5 g/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 180
Ages: 18–30

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RCTDaily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing2018n=120

In 120 adults, 90 days of a hydrolyzed fish collagen drink with chondroitin, glucosamine, and carnitine increased skin elasticity by 40% and reduced joint pain by 43% versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 90 days
Population: Adults
Participants: 120

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RCTImprovement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides2017n=139

In 139 athletes with functional knee pain, 5 g/day bioactive collagen peptides for 12 weeks reduced activity-related pain more than placebo (ΔVAS 19.5 vs 13.9; P=0.046).

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 5 g/day
Population: Athletes
Participants: 139

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RCTUndenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers2013n=28

A 120-day study including 55 people with no medical diagnosis of osteoarthritis & no joint pain at rest, who only experienced joint discomfort with physical activity, found that 40 mg/day UC-II reduced the number of individuals experiencing no pain during a stepmill protocol (5 of 27 vs 1 in 28). UC-II increased the time taken to the onset of joint pain during exercise (2.8± 0.5 min, p = 0.019) compared to baseline (1.4 ± 0.2 min).

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 120 days
Dose: 40 mg/day
Population: Adults with joint discomfort
Participants: 28
Ages: 30–65

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RCTEffect of collagen hydrolysate in articular pain: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study2012n=200

In 200 adults aged 50+ with joint pain, 1200 mg/day collagen hydrolysate for 6 months raised the proportion achieving ≥20% pain improvement to 51.6% versus 36.5% with placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 6 months
Dose: 1200 mg/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 200
Ages: 50+

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RCT24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain2008n=97

In 97 athletes, 10 g/day collagen hydrolysate for 24 weeks reduced activity-related joint pain at rest, walking, standing, and lifting versus placebo, with larger effects in those with knee pain.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 24 weeks
Dose: 10 g/day
Population: Athletes
Participants: 97

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GingerView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Ginger has only been tested as part of combination supplements for joint pain, so its individual benefit is unknown.
One product containing ginger and several other ingredients taken three times a day for 8 weeks reduced joint pain by about 37%, which was better than placebo.
However, it did not improve joint stiffness or function.
It is unclear whether ginger alone or the other ingredients caused the pain relief.

Browse 3 studies

RCTA Randomized Placebo-Controlled Dose-Response Trial of Muvz™ for Knee and Low-Back Support in Physically Active Adults2025n=157

In 157 physically active adults aged 40–60, Muvz (containing Z. officinale) 200–400 mg/day for 90 days reduced joint discomfort and improved range of motion versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 90 days
Dose: 200–400 mg/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 157
Ages: 40–60

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RCTEffectiveness and safety of steamed ginger extract on mild osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2024n=100

In 100 adults with mild knee osteoarthritis, steamed ginger extract 1.6 g/day for 12 weeks significantly reduced pain VAS and WOMAC scores versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 1.6 g/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 100

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RCTA commercialized dietary supplement alleviates joint pain in community adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled community trial2013n=100

In 100 adults aged 50–75 with joint pain, Instaflex (containing ginger root) for 8 weeks significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Population: Adults
Participants: 100
Ages: 50–75

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BoronView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

No summary available.

Browse 1 study

RCTShort-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study2014n=60

In 60 adults with knee discomfort (ages 35–65), 110 mg calcium fructoborate twice daily for 14 days significantly reduced WOMAC and McGill pain scores versus placebo at days 7 and 14.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 2 weeks
Dose: 110 mg/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 60
Ages: 35–65

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Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 3 supplements for joint pain (12 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Share
Collagen	★★★★★52%	8	67%
Ginger	★★★★★48%	3	25%
Boron	★★★★★44%	1	8%

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Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

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