Recommended Amounts Of Cherries For Gout And Cherry Juice For Gout
While research recommends consuming one daily serving of cherries or cherry juice for gout relief, it is important to realize that not all cherries or cherry products are created equal! You will want to pay close attention to the amount of antioxidants contained in each serving of cherries, dried cherries, cherry juice and cherry concentrate for gout relief. Antioxidants are measured by a process called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC this basically tells you the antioxidant capacity of various foods. Nutritionists and Dieticians recommend consuming between 3,000 and 5,000 ORAC units every day. When applying this knowledge to cherries and gout relief, consider the following:
- 3 ounces of Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate contains 12,800 units of ORAC
- 1/4 cup of Dried Cherries contain roughly 3,000 units of ORAC
- 1/2 cup of Frozen Cherries contains roughly 2,000 ORAC units.
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.
How Much Should You Drink
There has not yet been enough research to confirm a recommended amount of cherry juice for gout.
However, according to the Arthritis Foundation, a person might find drinking a glass of cherry juice per day beneficial.
People should talk with a doctor before attempting to treat their gout with cherry juice. The doctor may be able to advise on an ideal amount to consume.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following strategies to help manage gout:
- Diet: People should avoid eating foods that may trigger a flare-up. Such foods include those high in purines, including red meat, organ meats, and seafood.
- Activity: A person can try moderate or low impact activities, such as walking or swimming, to help relieve gout.
- Weight management: If a person has excess weight or obesity, they might find that reaching a moderate weight can help reduce pressure on their joints and relieve pain.
If a person is experiencing a gout flare-up, they can try the following to help ease the symptoms:
- Ice: Applying an ice pack to the affected joint can help reduce inflammation.
- Elevate: Raising the affected joint using a pillow may also help reduce swelling.
- Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water can help flush uric acid out of the body. The Arthritis Foundation suggests drinking 816 cups of fluids per day, with half or more being water.
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When To Contact A Doctor
A person should contact a doctor if they experience any symptoms of gout.
The doctor may be able to diagnose gout by using a blood test to look at a persons uric acid levels and kidney function. They may also require a sample of fluid from the inflamed joints to look for uric acid crystals.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases , having gout may make a person more likely to develop other conditions or complications, such as those that affect the heart and kidneys.
As a result, it is important to talk with a doctor to help manage the symptoms of gout.
How Much Is Recommended
There aren’t official recommendations for how much cherry juice you should drink to alleviate gout, but consuming at least one serving of cherries daily may reduce gout attacks. A 2012 study found getting three servings of cherries or cherry juice within a two-day period is effective for gout relief, and describes one serving as 1/2 cup cherries . The Arthritis Foundation notes that one 8-ounce bottle of tart cherry juice equals about 45 cherries. Another study published in 2014 found that ingesting 30 to 60 milliliters of Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate lowered inflammation and uric acid, a major contributor to gout attacks.
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How To Take Tart Cherries
Due to the pain patients are likely to experience, it might be helpful to up their tart cherry intake. Despite this fact, tart cherries to some people are an acquired taste. Unlike their sweet counterparts, eating capfuls of tart cherry juice for gout may not seem like the most pleasant idea.
You can opt to take them in the form of juice. Taking tart cherry juice for gout will result in a direct intake of vitamins A and C plus the fiber from the cherry pulp.
Alternatively, pies, trail mix, and jams are all options that allow you to get the most out of tart cherries. Still, tart cherries have some fructose, albeit less than bing cherries. It is therefore advisable to check how much you take for gout.
You can also freeze dry your tart cherries for gout. Freeze drying maintains cellular integrity and retains the cherrys nutritional value. The downside of this is it may cost you more than fresh tart cherries. Freeze dried cherries are common in supplements.
Most supplements have higher concentrations of the active ingredients in tart cherries. These make them fast-acting alternatives to fresh tart cherries. Two capsules can have similar benefits to a serving of up to 5 glasses of pure cherry juice. We have our own tart cherry supplement here.
Combined with tart cherries, hydration can decrease your chance of frequent gout flare-ups. Water may also help break down the crystalline structure of the uric molecule, therefore reducing pain.
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Cherries Are High In Antioxidants
As mentioned earlier, antioxidants play a big role in why cherry is so effective at treating gout. These same antioxidants are also able to help slow down the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause cell damage which later on make you more susceptible to cancer and diabetes. If you take an antioxidant such as cherries everyday, you help yourself to avoid these deadly diseases.
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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:
Cherries Help You Recover From A Workout
Exercise is important for gout patients since it helps with mobility and improves their joints. Thankfully, theres cherries that can help you recover from such strenuous activity. When you exercise, you might have some inflammation in your airways. By taking cherries, you can avoid this symptom and get better for another day of physical activity.
Cherries are also high in potassium, a mineral which helps with muscle recovery, heart rate, hydration, digestion, and blood pressure.
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Lowers Uric Acid Levels
There are also certain bioflavonoids that can help to lower overall uric acid levels in the body by improving the function of the kidneys. When the kidneys are working better, they process purines more effectively, release less uric acid into the bloodstream, and thereby reduce the chance of those crystals clumping and forming painful growths at various joints or extremities. By further blocking the pro-inflammatory compounds that the body releases when it detects a foreign substance or growth , it can reduce the pain and discomfort of this condition. Essentially, if your joints dont swell up, the uric acid crystals will experience less pressure and friction in the joint.
Pro: Recover Faster From Exercise
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative capacity in cherries is thought to have an effect similar to that of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The use of cherry juice for headaches or other soreness may be a more natural alternative to pain relief.
If you partake in high-intensity workouts or prolonged training, cherry juice may help reduce muscle pain after exercising. Many athletes drink tart cherry juice for post-exercise pain.
A study conducted in 2015 and published in theJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found Montmorency tart cherry helped males in resistant training. Findings reported that cherry supplements improved muscle soreness and shortened recovery time after intensive lower-body strength exercise.
Another pilot study, also published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition in 2015, examined the effects of Montmorency cherry juice on stress and respiratory inflammation response following a marathon.
The results of the study found that runners who drank Montmorency tart cherry juice five days before, on the day of and two days after running experienced lower inflammation and severity of upper respiratory tract symptoms with a faster recovery of strength, compared to those who drank a placebo.
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What Juices Good For Gout: Cherry Juice
Cherries have been proven in studies to be highly helpful
in reducing uric acid levels. To avoid uric acid discomfort and inflammation
make a cherry juice and consume it twice day.
According to a systematic review published in 2019
Current evidence appears to show a beneficial association between
cherry consumption and fewer gout flare-ups, according to Trusted Source.
The researchers do, however, point out that there arent enough
relevant and long-term studies. Drinking cherry juice concentrate
for four months or longer, according to a 2012 pilot research..
may reduce the number of acute gout flare-ups.
This could be related to anti-inflammatory qualities
and cherry juice concentrate could be a useful therapy technique
according to the researchers.
Cherry juice may also help to reduce uric acid levels in the body.
According to a 2014 study, Montmorency cherry concentrate
can help to lower uric acid and inflammation.
However, according to a more recent 2020 study
cherry concentrate did not appear to lower uric acid levels in the body.
It also appears to have no effect on urine uric acid levels
There hasnt been any research done on black cherry juice particularly
According to the study, tart cherries, such as the Montmorency cherry
have increased antioxidant levels, which may help with gout symptoms
and flare-ups. Because black cherries are often sweeter..
they may have fewer antioxidants.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Is Cherry Juice Ok For Gout Sufferers
Its not only cherry juice that could lower uric acid levels cherry juice concentrate can also be beneficial for those with gout. A 2012 pilot study found that consuming cherry juice concentrate lowered the levels of uric acid in the body.
How long does it take cherry juice to help gout?
The review discussed a 2012 study that found that taking cherry concentrate or eating cherries led to a 35% reduction in gout episodes over a 2-day period. This effect remained the same regardless of sex, body weight, purine and alcohol intake, diuretic use, and anti-gout medication use.
What is the best thing to drink if you have gout?
Drink plenty of water, milk and tart cherry juice. Drinking coffee seems to help as well. Be sure to talk with your doctor before making any dietary changes.
How do you flush uric acid?
Drink at least 10-12 eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic fluids daily, especially if you have had kidney stones. This will help flush the uric acid crystals out of your body. Using medications for gout can be complicated.
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Study Design And Setting
The study is a 12-month, double-blind, two-armed, parallel RCT performed in adults aged 18 to 80 years, with an existing clinical diagnosis of gout and who have reported at least one gout flare in the last 12 months. The intervention group will receive a daily supplement of tart cherry juice and the placebo group will receive a cherry-flavoured drink. The primary outcome measure will be between-group difference in the frequency of gout flares from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcome measures will be between-group differences in gout flare pain, serum urate concentration, fractional excretion of uric acid, blood lipids and recognised markers of inflammation , oxidative stress and vascular function . Changes in physical activity, perceived health and pain will also be secondary outcomes. Non-efficacy outcomes will include dietary intake measures, for example total energy, total sugars and consumption of gout trigger foods. Each participant will be enrolled onto the study for 12 months physical and vascular measurements and fasted blood and 24hours urine samples will be collected at 0, 6 and 12 months. These measurements will be made at Sheffield Hallam Universityâs Food and Nutrition Research Laboratories in Sheffield, UK. Laboratory visits will be postponed for any participant that is experiencing a gout flare until after the flare has resolved. An overview of the study design and timeline is given in . The study opened recruitment in June 2019 and is ongoing.
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.
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How Cherries Help Fight Arthritis
How Cherries Help Fight Arthritis
In a study of 633 participants, Boston University Medical Center researchers found that eating at least 10 cherries a day protected people with existing gout from recurrent attacks.In that study, drinking Montmorency tart juice reduced blood levels of gout-causing uric acid and increased specific anthocyanin compounds in the bloodstream.If cherries prove effective in large trials, they could provide a safe, nonpharmacological option for preventing recurrent gout attacks..In a 2013 article inOsteoarthritis and Cartilage, researchers at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center reported that patients who consumed two 8-ounce bottles of tart cherry juice daily for 6 weeks experienced a significant improvement in pain, stiffness and physical function.Study participants also showed a marked decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein , a marker of inflammation Each bottle of juice equaled about 45 cherries.In a 2007 pilot study at the Baylor Research Institute in Dallas, Texas, more than half of 20 enrolled patients reported improved pain and function after taking one cherry capsule a day for eight weeks. .
Arthritis And Gout Relief From Cherries
Current research has only reinforced what many have already known to be true – that Montmorency tart cherries may help reduce inflammation related to arthritis and gout. Tart cherries are one of the highest sources of phenolic compounds, which have been known to have anti-inflammatory properties – even going up against some pain medications, and notably, the highest of any other food!
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How Did The Researchers Interpret The Results
The researchers said, These data show that MC impacts upon the activity of uric acid and lowers hsCRP, previously proposed to be useful in managing conditions such as gouty arthritis the findings suggest that changes in the observed variables are independent of the dose provided.
They also said, these results provide rationale for the use of Montmorency cherry concentrate as an adjuvant therapy to NSAIDs in the treatment of gouty arthritis .
Try Dr Warners Tart Cherry Extract For Natural + Effective Relief
If you are living with gout, first make sure to have regular visits with your personal physician to help keep your attacks under control. Then, make sure to maintain a healthy diet and supplement with Dr. Warners natural Tart Cherry Extract to fight daily pain and inflammation.
Dr. Meredith Warner, the orthopedic surgeon behind Well Theory, developed this supplement after seeing the need for inflammation support in her patients. She regularly recommends the supplementation of tart cherries and even takes them herself and she has now made these supplements easily available to you.
This Tart Cherry Extract is available on The Healing Sole website:
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