More than 8.3 million people suffer from gout each year. This arthritis condition affects both men and women but during menopause women seem to be more susceptible to the condition.
According to ABC News, “a new Boston University study has found that eating approximately 30 cherries within 48 hours of a gout attack may cut the risk of recurrence of the painful arthritic condition by 35 percent.”
While it is not completely understood how cherries fight against gout, we know that cherries are loaded with nutritional value. Dr. Allan Gelber, who co-wrote a study commentary, believes “it could be the vitamin C content of the fruit or perhaps the anti-inflammatory effect of their high antioxidant content.”
Dr. Gelber and Dr. Daniel Solomon’s commentary was published in the Arthritis & Rheumatism Journal.
According to Dr. Gelber, “the antioxidant pigment in cherries seems to stabilize the free radical molecules responsible for causing inflammation and cell and tissue damage."
Eating Well Magazine reported, “a USDA study claimed eating about 2 cups fresh sweet Bing cherries daily lowered uric acid levels by 15 percent and also reduced C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. The magazine said in another gout related study that drinking 8 ounces of tart cherry juice a day reduces uric acid.”
The methodology of the study included 633 patients. Over one year, these patients were monitored online for the cherry intake, gout symptoms, medications and risk factors.
Prior to a gout flare up of two days, many ate approximately 1.5 cups of cherries or took cherry extract.
You may want to seriously consider adding cherries to your diet if you suffer from gout.
Not only can cherries help with gout but they can also help with some other medical issues like restless sleep, blood pressure, etc.
The key seems to be, the darker the cherry the better. The deep rich color means more antioxidants. Sweet cherries can have up to three more times the amount of antioxidants as tart cherries.
But, tart cherries might be able to help you get a good night’s sleep. According to Glyn Howatson, Ph.D, “The melatonin in tart cherry juice is very well absorbed and is utilized by the body to provide an effect that could rival melatonin supplements.”
In Howatson’s study volunteers drank approximately one ounce of tart cherry juice in the evening and morning and slept deeply.
If you have high blood pressure think about having some sweet cherries. The potassium in one cup of sweet cherries equals one small banana. Potassium naturally reduces blood pressure.
According to Eating Well, “studies have found that people who eat more potassium-rich foods, like sweet cherries, tend to have less hypertension.”
References:
Cherries May Cut Gout Pain - ABC News. ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News - ABC News. Retrieved October 4, 2012, from
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cherries-cut-gout-pain/story?id=17348045
Cherry Nutrition Benefits | Eating Well. Healthy Recipes, Healthy Eating, Healthy Cooking | Eating Well. Retrieved October 4, 2012, from
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/cherry_nutrition_benefits
Reviewed October 5, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith