Researchers compared what people with fibromyalgia eat versus healthy people and found some important differences. People with fibromyalgia ate significantly more ultra-processed foods—like packaged snacks, fast food, and sugary items—and fewer whole foods. They also had higher levels of inflammation-promoting foods in their diets. The study found that people with fibromyalgia experienced more pain, fatigue, and had more body fat and less muscle than healthy people. These findings suggest that changing what you eat might help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, though more research is needed to prove this connection.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with fibromyalgia eat differently than healthy people, and if their food choices affect their pain and fatigue levels
  • Who participated: 89 adults total: 45 people diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 44 healthy people without the condition. Researchers compared their eating habits and body composition.
  • Key finding: People with fibromyalgia ate about 30% more ultra-processed foods (junk food) compared to healthy people, and their diets had more inflammation-promoting ingredients. They also reported significantly more pain and fatigue.
  • What it means for you: If you have fibromyalgia, eating fewer processed foods and more whole foods might help reduce your pain and fatigue. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that diet causes fibromyalgia—talk to your doctor before making major dietary changes.

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups: people with fibromyalgia and people without it. They asked both groups detailed questions about what they ate using a food questionnaire. Researchers then classified all the foods into categories—ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks and fast food) versus whole foods (like fresh fruits and vegetables). They also measured how “inflammatory” each person’s diet was using a special scoring system that looks at whether foods promote or reduce inflammation in the body. Finally, they measured body composition (how much fat versus muscle each person had) and recorded pain and fatigue levels.

Case-control studies are useful for finding patterns between what people eat and their health conditions. By comparing people with fibromyalgia to healthy people, researchers can spot dietary differences that might be important. This approach is practical and can generate important clues about whether diet might help manage fibromyalgia symptoms.

The study used validated tools—meaning the questionnaires and measurement scales have been tested and proven reliable by other scientists. The sample size of 89 people is moderate, which is reasonable for this type of research. The researchers used appropriate statistical tests and set a clear threshold for what counts as a meaningful finding (p<0.05). However, because this is a case-control study, it shows associations but cannot prove that diet causes fibromyalgia symptoms.

What the Results Show

People with fibromyalgia consumed about 34.5% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods, compared to just 26.7% in healthy people—a significant difference. Their diets also scored higher on the inflammation scale, meaning they ate more foods that promote inflammation in the body. People with fibromyalgia reported much higher pain levels (6.8 out of 10 versus 1.2 out of 10) and greater fatigue. They also had more body fat (34.5% versus 28.1%) and less muscle mass (47.5% versus 49.3%) than the healthy group. All of these differences were statistically significant, meaning they’re unlikely to have happened by chance.

The study also found that people with fibromyalgia had lower intake of protective nutrients—foods and nutrients that help reduce inflammation. Their overall diet quality was lower, with fewer whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The combination of high ultra-processed food intake and low protective nutrient intake appeared to create a ‘perfect storm’ for inflammation in the body.

This research fits with growing evidence that diet affects fibromyalgia symptoms. Previous studies have suggested that inflammation plays a role in fibromyalgia pain, and this study provides evidence that dietary choices might influence that inflammation. The findings align with broader research showing that ultra-processed foods promote inflammation throughout the body.

This study shows that people with fibromyalgia eat differently, but it cannot prove that diet causes fibromyalgia or that changing diet will definitely help. The study is relatively small (89 people), so results might not apply to everyone. The researchers relied on people remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The study was done at one point in time, so we don’t know if these eating patterns developed before or after fibromyalgia started. More research is needed to determine if changing diet actually improves symptoms.

The Bottom Line

If you have fibromyalgia, consider reducing ultra-processed foods and eating more whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This may help reduce inflammation and potentially ease symptoms. However, this is a moderate-confidence recommendation based on this single study—discuss dietary changes with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making major changes. Diet should be part of a complete fibromyalgia management plan that may include exercise, sleep, stress management, and medical treatment.

People with fibromyalgia should pay attention to these findings and consider discussing diet with their healthcare provider. Healthy people might also benefit from reducing ultra-processed foods, as the study shows these foods promote inflammation. People with other chronic pain conditions or inflammatory diseases might find this relevant. However, this study doesn’t apply to children or people without fibromyalgia who are trying to prevent it.

Don’t expect overnight changes. Reducing inflammation through diet typically takes weeks to months to show noticeable effects. Most people report gradual improvements in pain and fatigue over 4-12 weeks of consistent dietary changes, though individual results vary significantly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your ultra-processed food intake as a percentage of daily calories for one week, then set a goal to reduce it by 5% each week. Also track pain levels (1-10 scale) and energy levels daily to see if they improve as you reduce processed foods.
  • Use the app to log meals and identify which ultra-processed foods you eat most often. Replace one ultra-processed food per day with a whole food alternative (for example, swap a packaged snack for an apple with almond butter). Gradually increase whole foods while decreasing processed options.
  • Create a weekly dashboard showing: (1) percentage of calories from ultra-processed foods, (2) average pain rating, (3) average fatigue rating, and (4) servings of whole foods consumed. Review trends monthly to see if reducing processed foods correlates with symptom improvement for your individual situation.

This research shows an association between ultra-processed food consumption and fibromyalgia symptoms, but does not prove that diet causes fibromyalgia or that dietary changes will cure it. If you have fibromyalgia or are considering major dietary changes, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making changes. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual responses to dietary changes vary significantly, and diet should be combined with other evidence-based fibromyalgia treatments recommended by your doctor.