TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Fiber helps lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar levels and keep the bowels running smoothly, but a new study suggests it can also reduce knee pain from arthritis.

Researchers found that people who ate the most fiber reported reduced osteoarthritis knee pain by up to 60 percent. However, X-rays did not show any difference in their knees compared to those who consumed less fiber.

A second study looked at the effects of the dietary supplement chondroitin on knee pain. That study -- sponsored by a maker of the supplements -- found that taking chondroitin daily was linked to less knee pain and improved function.