Background: Joint function is essential for the smooth performance of daily activities. Maintenance of knee joint function and reduction in pain and other symptoms contribute to maintaining and improving quality of life (QOL). Collagen peptides have been shown to alleviate joint pain and discomfort. Therefore, we investigated the effects of foods containing collagen peptides on knee joint function in healthy adult men and women. Methods: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group studies (Trial 1 and Trial 2) were conducted. Both studies evaluated the effects of foods containing collagen peptides on knee joint function. Forty-six participants were selected for each study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: the active food group and the placebo food group. The participants consumed either the active food (containing 2.0 g/day of collagen peptides) or the placebo food for 12 weeks. Trial 1 evaluated the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Trial 2 evaluated the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Results: The active food group showed significant improvements in JOA (total, I, and II scores) (Trial 1), JKOM (total, II, III, and IV scores), and VAS scores (Trial 2) compared with the placebo food group (p < 0.05). No adverse events attributable to the study food were observed during the study period. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that foods containing collagen peptides can improve mobility and relieve knee joint pain in both adult men and women.
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