Effect Of Tart Cherry Juice On Risk Of Gout Attacks: Protocol For A
These compounds may ameliorate the inflammatory response induced by monosodium urate crystals.18 21 Indeed, cherry consumption has been shown to lower a recognised biomarker of inflammation C-reactive protein in both healthy people18 2426 and those with arthritis.27 28.Despite the limited scientific evidence base, leading medical societies and charities endorse cherry consumption as a therapeutic aid for gout.1 2933 Contrastingly, the Food and Drug Administration in the USA has warned cherry juice growers and processers against making preventive disease claims.34 A content analysis of US and UK newspapers reported that 25% of articles discussing dietary management of gout advised cherry consumption.35 Notably, the UKs National Health Service health information website dismissed newspaper claims that advocated cherry consumption for gout.36 There is a clear need for definitive evidence from a randomised controlled trial .The proposed study is a 12-month RCT designed to provide superior evidence as to whether tart cherries are a useful adjuvant therapy for treatment of gout. .
Gout is a painful yet common condition that affects a large global population. Research shows that cases of gout are on the upsurge. Furthermore, most gout cases are either undiagnosed or untreated.
Tart Cherries Versus Bing Cherries
There are some factors that make tart cherry juice for gout a great option. Bing cherries are high in fructose. High-fructose foods increase blood sugar levels, which contribute to an increase in uric acid.
Tart cherries, on the other hand, have a slightly sour taste. They have less fructose, making them a prime candidate for treating gout.
In addition to having less fructose, tart cherries are a great resource against gout because you need less. You would need to eat a lot more bing cherries to reap full anti-inflammatory benefits. Tart cherries have a higher concentration of anthocyanins.
Regular intake of tart cherries, even at smaller portions, would be beneficial for gout management.
It is also vital to note that tart cherry juice for gout is better due to the availability of that variety.
Cherries are in full blossom mostly during the summer months. However, tart cherries are available throughout the year in many forms including fresh juice or in supplement form.
Health Benefits Of Tart Cherries
Free radicals are buffered by antioxidants. “Several studies have shown tart cherry juice to aid significantly in exercise recovery and help decrease muscle pain after exercise.”
For athletes, there is good news about tart cherry juice as research shows it can help with immediate exercise recovery.
Along with the inflammation elements tart cherry juice is ideal for exercise recovery. The juice contains several elements plus the typical carbohydrates in a sports drink. These elements create a powerful mixture for additional gains for sports enthusiastic and pro athletes looking for an edge.
Don’t Miss: Almonds And Gout
Cherries Uric Acid And Gout Attacks
A painful gout attack occurs when excess uric acid in the body forms crystals that collect in one or more joints, causing inflammation. Cherries have been shown to lower the levels of uric acid in the body and therefore might lower the risk of a gout attack.
See Hyperuricemia – High Uric Acid Levels and Gout
For example, one large online survey3 asked people with gout to report their experiences over the course of one year. People answered questions about their intake of cherries and cherry extract, alcohol, and certain foods and medications in the two days leading up to a gout attack.
The survey results found:
- People who ate cherries or supplemented with cherry extract were 37% less likely to report gout attacks than people who had no cherry intake.
- People who ate cherries or supplemented with cherry extract and also took allopurinol, a drug prescribed to reduce urate in the blood, were 75% less likely to report gout attacks than people who did neither.
For this study, researchers defined one serving of cherries as ½ cup, or about 10 to 12 cherries. More than 3 servings did not seem to provide additional benefits.
How Long Does It Take For Tart Cherry Juice To Work For Gout
4/5tart cherry juicegouton it here
A 2011 study noted that 100 percent tart cherry juice significantly reduced the level of serum uric acid levels in participants who drank 8 ounces of the juice every day for four weeks. It’s not only cherry juice that could lower uric acid levels cherry juice concentrate can also be beneficial for those with gout.
Similarly, how much tart cherry juice should you drink a day? A study in July 2017 noted that in evaluating tart cherry juice, Timing and dosage vary widely, but most studies use 8 to 12 ounces twice a day. However, there’s no real limit to how much you can drinkwe guess it depends how much you crave a bottle of Cheribundi!
Beside above, what kind of cherry juice is good for gout?
Black cherry juice contains anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that give dark red and purple fruits and vegetables their color. They may help relieve pain caused by gout. While there are no studies about black cherry juice specifically, a 2014 study found that tart cherry juice lowers uric acid the culprit of gout.
What is the best thing to drink if you have gout?
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which provide complex carbohydrates. Avoid foods and beverages with high-fructose corn syrup, and limit consumption of naturally sweet fruit juices. Water. Stay well-hydrated by drinking water.
Read Also: Is Onion Good For Gout
Benefits For Arthritis Patients
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. The breakdown of cartilage in one or more joints leads to further inflammation, pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. There are limited recent clinical trials studying tart cherry juice and its effect on osteoarthritis. We summarize two small randomized, double-blind studies below.
Additional larger studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of tart cherry juice as a complementary treatment for osteoarthritis.
What Are The Potential Side Effects
Unless youre allergic to cherries, its unlikely that youll have an adverse reaction. However, its important to eat everything in moderation and cherries are no exception. Its possible to have diarrhea if you drink too much cherry juice or eat too many cherries.
How much is too much cherry juice? Thats hard to say, as it depends on your own digestive system. As mentioned, one glass a day should be enough to treat gout without producing any side effects. If you have any adverse reactions, make a note of them and speak to a healthcare provider about it.
If you want to add more cherries into your diet, you can do so in a number of different ways. You can:
- drink tart cherry juice
- add cherries to yogurt or fruit salad
- blend cherries or cherry juice up in a smoothie
Don’t Miss: Almond And Gout
What Makes Tart Cherry Juice Such A Powerful Elixir
Tart cherry juice contains strong antioxidants called polyphenolic compounds, especially proanthocyanins, anthocyanins, and flavonols that help lower inflammation in the body. It also has high levels of Vitamin A and C for eye health and immunity, as well as manganese, and potassium, for bone and blood health. The bottom line is, there’s no downside to drinking tart cherry juice, but read the labels and look for packaged bottles with just one ingredient or 100 percent tart cherry juice.
What Kind Of Research Was This
This was a single blind randomised crossover study testing the effects of two doses of cherry juice on levels of uric acid in the body.
The researchers say that nutritional research has focused more on the use of foods for improving human health, and particular attention has been placed upon foods containing high concentrations of anthocyanins such as tart cherries.
Gout is a type of arthritis, where crystals of sodium urate form inside and around joints. The most common symptom is sudden and severe pain in a joint, along with swelling and redness. The joint of the big toe is commonly affected, but it can develop in any joint. Symptoms develop rapidly and are at their worst in just six to 24 hours. Symptoms usually last for three to 10 days . After this time, the joint will start to feel and look normal again, and the pain of the attack should disappear completely. Almost everyone with gout will have further attacks in the future.
People with gout usually have higher than normal urate levels in their blood, but the reasons for this may vary for example, some people may produce too much urate, while in others the kidneys may not be so effective at filtering out urate from the bloodstream. The condition may run in families.
A randomised control trial including people with gout, or people more likely to develop gout , would be required to give us better evidence on the issue.
Don’t Miss: Are Oranges Good For Gout
How Much Of Tart Cherry Juice Should You Consume For Gout
At a 2010 annual meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism, researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, presented a retrospective study comprising 24 patients. As a part of the study, each of the patients was given a tablespoon of liquid tart cherry extract, which is equal to 45 to 60 cherries, twice daily over a period of four months. At the end of the period, it was noted that there was nearly a 50 percent fall in the occurrence of gout among these patients. However, more information is needed to ascertain the right time to consume tart cherry juice during the day or whether it is more helpful when had with or without the consumption of food.
Tart Cherry Juice May Reduce Inflammation In People With Arthritis And Gout
Although preliminary, some studies have shown that cherry juice could offer some benefits as a complementary treatment for arthritis and gout.
Cherries are a rich source of polyphenols, naturally-occurring plant compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cherries also contain vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, and are a plant-based source of melatonin. In addition, these little fruits are a good source of dietary fiber and are considered low on the glycemic index.There are many different varieties of cherries, but the two main types are sweet and tart. Montmorency cherries are a tart cherry variety commonly studied for their health benefits, while Bing cherries are a popular sweet cherry variety.
Both sweet and tart cherries are rich in polyphenols. Tart cherries seem to have more phenolic compounds while sweet cherries contain more anthocyanins. These plant compounds have been studied for their many health benefits. More specifically, this article will focus on how tart cherry juice may be beneficial for people with arthritis and gout.
Also Check: Is Tofu Good For Gout
Properties And Health Benefits
Tart cherry juice contains anthocyanins, which are anti-inflammatory compounds responsible for the red, orange, blue, and purple colors of fruits and vegetables. This substance may help to combat some chronic inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Many medications used to treat arthritis target inflammation as a way to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Tart cherry juice also has high concentrations of other polyphenols, including flavonoids. All of these nutritional compounds make tart cherry juice a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food and potential adjunct therapy for people with arthritis and gout.
The process by which anthocyanins help decrease inflammation may be by suppressing pro-inflammatory compounds in the body, such as cyclooxygenase, or COX. By this and other unknown mechanisms, tart cherry juice may help reduce pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and other related joint pain disorders.
Tart Cherry Juice For Gout
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is caused when there is a deposition of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid gets deposited as crystals in the joints, leading to sudden inflammation and pain. The areas where gout commonly occurs are around the joints of the ankle, big toe, and knee. According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 6 million American men, as well as 2 million American women, suffer from this condition. Tart cherry juice is attributed to help reduce gout-related pain.
According to a 2014 study in the Journal of Functional Foods, a team of British researchers stated that drinking Montmorency tart juice helped decline blood levels of gout-producing uric acid and raise certain anthocyanin compounds in the bloodstream. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that are not only responsible for the color of the fruit but also to reduce any kind of inflammation in the body, which is vital in the treatment of gout.
A study published by a team of researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine in the Arthritis and Rheumatology Journal noted that when 633 people were administered with cherries over a two-day period, there was nearly a 35% reduced risk of gout attacks compared with no intake. This goes to show that when cherries are consumed in any form, which is as a whole or as a tart cherry extract or supplement, there will be a reduction in gout pain.
You May Like: Is Rice Good For Gout
How Tart Cherry Extract Provides Relief
For those suffering from gout, you may find relief with the power of tart cherries . In fact, studies suggest that about 25% of people with gout use these and want to avoid problems with pharmaceuticals. Tart cherries have been noted for their aid in alleviating symptoms of gout thanks to their rich antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory powers.
These small fruits help to alleviate inflammation, a key element of a gout attack.
Scientists believe that part of the reason cherries might work is that they increase the excretion of urate and also limit the production of uric acid in the liver. The abundant urate crystals in those with gout stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Cherry counteracts this problem and also protects the body and joints by providing good antioxidant coverage. This is an excellent non pharmacological option for the treatment of many of the problems associated with gout.
Tart cherries have many phytochemicals that help, but cyanidin is the most prevalent compound. These nutrient-rich cherries help to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body and may even help to offset the effect of gout on the bones and joints.
Reach for a bowl of fresh Montmorency cherries, a glass of sugar-free tart cherry juice, or a tart cherry supplement to stay on top of your symptoms. Tart cherries are not just for good gout but also insomnia, muscle pain, and over-exertion, and they offer an excellent way to help the body recover.
Cherry For Gout Relief And Prevention
Due to its growing popularity and use, research conducted by the Boston University observed the cherry intake of 633 gout patients over a 2-day period. The results of the study found that the individuals who included cherries in their die had a 35% lower risk of gout attacks. Additionally, the combined use of cherry and the medication allopurinol was found to decrease the risk of gout by 75%. Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2003 found that among 10 healthy women, those who consumed two servings of Bing cherries had uric acid levels fall by 15%.
Cumulative research conducted on cherries have fully supported the anti-gout properties of cherries. Researchers have narrowed down two chemical properties of cherries that likely contribute to its anti-gout efficacy:
Recommended Reading: Are Almonds High In Purines
Strengths And Limitations Of This Study
-
This study will be the first randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of tart cherry juice to reduce risk of recurrent gout flares.
-
Primary and secondary outcomes are central to treatment of gout and its comorbidities.
-
This study will investigate mechanisms whereby tart cherry juice may reduce risk of recurrent gout flares and comorbidities.
-
The study design addresses the temporal risk of gout flares by assessing patients over a 12-month period and retention of participants may be challenging.
How To Use Cherry Supplements For Gout
When taking cherry for gout, your options are dependent on the supplement type you choose to use. If taking capsules, following the bottle directions as directed, ensure you take at least 1,500 mg a day.
If taking cherry concentrate, mix a tablespoon of concentrate with any drink, preferably water that you drink each day.
If you are consuming the whole fruit, you can eat 2 cups of cherries a day to get your daily intake. Otherwise, if youâd like to make your own juice, you can use the following recipe:
Ingredients:
- ½ pint of water
- 1 bottle of carbonated water * this is optional
- 1 tbsp of lemon extract
Directions:
1. Pit your cherries and mix together with raw honey. Place them in a sauce pan and allow to come to a simmer. Stir continuously until you have desired consistency, then mash the cherries for its extract.
2. Remove the mixture from heat and leave at room temperature for at least 2 hours under cover.
3. Add ½ pint of water while stirring until the mixture is fully incorporated. Then return mixture to heat and bring to a gentle, rolling boil. Continue stirring until the mixture is almost syrupy.
4. Finally squeeze and strain the mixture and store in a jar.
5. To sever, add 1-2 tablespoons of the extract in a glass of water, or carbonated water soda. Mix with lemon extract or mint leaves for added flavor.
Read Also: Allopurinol Side Effects Alcohol
Tart Cherry Juice Helps Patients With Sleep Apnea
Both Dr. Drucker and Beth Miller recommend drinking tart cherry juice for better quality sleep. Miller shared a success story from a patient who took tart cherry juice to improve sleep apnea. Within a week of starting on the tart cherry juice, he was having more restful sleep.
In a placebo-controlled study, patients with insomnia were placed in a randomized trial where one group was given 8 ounces of tart cherry juice twice every day for two weeks and the other group got a placebo. Researchers found that the “cherry juice increased sleep time and sleep efficiency” by 84 minutes on average. They also mentioned that the cherry juice reduced inflammation and may be partially responsible for the improvement in insomnia.
Bottom Line: Tart cherry juice has been scientifically proven to lower inflammation in the joints and muscle tissue, reduce the discomfort of gout, and help people with sleep apnea feel more restful. If you are having trouble sleeping, try drinking 8 ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day, and you may also find that it helps relieve inflammation or joint pain, and may also help to lower your LDL cholesterol. Always consult your doctor before drinking tart cherry for health reasons.