Eating cherries can help prevent gout

Eating certain types of foods can have different effects on your body. For instance, regularly eating food items that contain purines can increase the production of uric acid in your body. If this uric acid builds up in your joints and crystallizes, it can result in gout flare-ups. Fortunately, eating food other items, such as cherries, can aid in the prevention of gout episodes.

Gout is one of the common types of arthritis. If you have gout, you will likely experience gout flare-ups or episodes in which your joints will feel sudden pain, stiffness, or swelling. There are many risk factors that may lead to gout, such as age, gender, genetics, lifestyle choices, and exposure to lead. However, the main cause of gout is the buildup of uric acid in your joints. One popular natural treatment for these gout flare-ups is the consumption of consumption of cherries or cherry juice. Cherries are a potential superfood packed with many nutrients that can provide a number of health benefits. (Related: Cherries a superfood? Research confirms this well-known fruit tackles cancer, insomnia, high blood pressure and gout.)

How cherries help prevent gout flare-ups

Cherries are rich in antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and vitamin C. Anthocyanins are pigments that can be found in vibrantly colored fruits. These pigments give the fruits their deep red, blue, or purple hues. Vitamin C is useful for boosting your immune system. Both these antioxidants possess anti-inflammatory properties and they also play a role in reducing the levels of uric acid in your body. This reduction of uric acid subsequently lowers the risk of it building up in your joints and causing gout. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins and vitamin C can help to alleviate any swelling that may occur.

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Researchers observed patients with gout during the two-day period leading up to a gout episode in one study. Some patients were given cherry juice extract, others were given three servings of cherries, while the rest were not given either. Patients who were administered the cherry juice extract exhibited a 45 percent lower risk for a gout flare-up, whereas those who were given three servings of cherries displayed a 35 percent lower risk, compared to the placebo group who received neither.

There is no standard recommended dosage of cherries or cherry juice for the treatment of gout. However, according to the Arthritis Foundation, a suggested serving would be to eat a handful of cherries or drink a glass of tart cherry juice per day, everyday. However, it should be noted that you can have too much of a good thing. No matter how much you might love cherries, try to limit yourself to a maximum of two bowls of cherries or two cups of juice a day.

How to add cherries to your diet

There are many ways to include cherries in your daily diet. Reap the full health benefits of cherries by finding creative ways of adding them to your meals.

• Cherry juice. Drinking tart cherry juice is an excellent way of increasing your antioxidant intake. You can  take either the fresh juice or the powdered form. Just make sure that both the juice and powder are made from 100 percent cherries with no additives or added sugars that could negate the potential health benefits.
• Cherry supplement tablets. If you don’t like the taste of cherries, you can try taking cherries in their supplement tablet form.
• Cherry smoothies. Place some cherries in a blender and blend them until you get a nice cherry puree. You can then drink this as a smoothie or add the mixture to a compatible beverage.
• Cherries in fruit salads. Instead of eating cherries on their own, why not use them to add flavor to your healthy fruit salad?
• Cherries with yogurt. Alternatively, you can dip the cherries in your favorite yogurt.

Learn more about cherries and other foods rich in antioxidants by going to Antioxidants.news.

Sources include:

Arthritis-Health.com

Healthline.com