Studies

Explore research connecting ingredients and health goals.

22 ingredient–goal connections

GoalReported findings
SupportiveMixedNo effectAdverseUnclassified

Joint HealthandHyaluronic Acid

156published studies

Supportive

Research on Hyaluronic Acid mainly concerns injections into joints affected by osteoarthritis. Some knee studies report better pain relief and function than placebo, but other trials find no added benefit. Results in the hip and shoulder are less convincing, and comparisons with other injectable treatments do not consistently favor Hyaluronic Acid.

The smaller body of oral-supplement research suggests possible improvements in osteoarthritis symptoms, including pain and stiffness. However, injection findings cannot establish what a swallowed supplement will do, and the evidence does not show that either form reliably restores cartilage or prevents disease progression.

Blood or joint-fluid levels of naturally occurring Hyaluronic Acid can also track joint disease; those associations are not evidence that supplementation causes harm or benefit. Oral research reports mostly mild or rare adverse effects, while injections can cause local pain and swelling. Overall, the clearest potential benefit is symptom relief in selected people with osteoarthritis, with meaningful uncertainty about the size and consistency of the effect.

156 linked studies · 29 sampled for detail · Sep 27, 2026

Study types

  • Randomized trial47
  • Narrative review30
  • Meta-analysis16
  • Single-arm trial16
  • Systematic review15
  • Cohort study8
  • Non-randomized trial8
  • Observational study5
  • Guideline / consensus4
  • Cross-sectional study2
  • Other2
  • Case series1
  • Clinical trial1
  • Methods validation study1

Published by year

  • 36Earlier
  • 12010
  • 32011
  • 72012
  • 22013
  • 42014
  • 42015
  • 52016
  • 52017
  • 62018
  • 22019
  • 62020
  • 52021
  • 82022
  • 62023
  • 112024
  • 102025
  • 352026

Findings over time

Numbers above bars show study counts. Earlier groups years before 2010.

202635 studies

  • Supportive18
  • Mixed9
  • No effect6
  • Adverse2
  • Unclassified0

Population over time

Reported participants by publication year. Select a year to see the total and reporting coverage.

— Participant count not reported. Earlier groups years before 2010.

202619,263 reported participants

Counts reported by 26 of 35 studies. 9 without a reported count.

Totals sum reported counts across studies and reviews; participants may overlap between sources.

Explore this goal

Showing 5 top-ranked studies for Hyaluronic Acid and Joint Health.

Top studies

Hyaluronic Acid · Joint HealthHighest ranked first
  1. Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.
    2025Systematic review597 participants11 studies reviewed

    Mediterranean journal of rheumatology

    Finding Nine of 11 articles reported improvement in pain, function, quality of life, osteoarthritis index measures or stiffness.

    SupportiveView source for Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. (opens in a new tab)
  2. Single intra-articular injection of lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid reduces knee pain in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
    2019Randomized trial369 participants

    Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA

    Finding By the study's patient-success definition, the Monovisc group had a significantly higher success rate than saline through week 26 (p = 0.043).

    SupportiveView source for Single intra-articular injection of lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid reduces knee pain in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. (opens in a new tab)
  3. High molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (hyalectin) in osteoarthritis of the knee: a 1 year placebo-controlled trial.
    1996Randomized trial110 participants

    Osteoarthritis and cartilage

    Finding Four weeks after the last injection, hyalectin was associated with greater improvement in pain and Lequesne functional index than vehicle.

    SupportiveView source for High molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (hyalectin) in osteoarthritis of the knee: a 1 year placebo-controlled trial. (opens in a new tab)
  4. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid compared with corticoid injections for the treatment of rhizarthrosis.
    2006Randomized trial56 participants

    Osteoarthritis and cartilage

    Finding Triamcinolone provided earlier maximum pain relief and was reported significantly better than sodium hyaluronate at weeks 2-3; sodium hyaluronate's maximum was at week 26.

    SupportiveView source for Intra-articular hyaluronic acid compared with corticoid injections for the treatment of rhizarthrosis. (opens in a new tab)
  5. Platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid injection following arthrocentesis for temporomandibular joint disorders under sedation: a comparative clinical study.
    2026Randomized trial60 participants

    Oral and maxillofacial surgery

    Finding Pain and maximum mouth opening improved significantly over time in all groups.

    SupportiveView source for Platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid injection following arthrocentesis for temporomandibular joint disorders under sedation: a comparative clinical study. (opens in a new tab)

Counts reflect published studies in our database, not the strength of a benefit. A study may appear in more than one connection.