A study reported on in NutraIngredients found an association between supplementing with rose hips, long used in traditional medicine to promote health, and improved knee joint function. The study, published in the journal Gait & Posture, randomly assigned 94 adults with self-reported knee-related walking limitations to receive either rose hip supplements (a total of 2,250 mg per day) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers analyzed the participants’ knee joint movement at the beginning and end of the study to assess any differences. After three months, here is what researchers found:

• In the researchers’ observations, knee joint movement while walking significantly improved for participants taking the rose hip supplements compared with those taking a placebo.
• There was no significant difference in self-reported knee mobility and health-related quality of life between the two groups at the end of the study.

Although the participants did not report knee joint benefits, the findings of this study do align with other related research that has found rose hips may decrease pain in people with osteoarthritis. Other research has found that rose hips may also benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis and back pain.

Source: Gait & Posture