Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the United States, about 8.3 million people suffer from it and those numbers just seem to rise. It is a painful condition that can dramatically affect the life quality of patients and sometimes the standard treatment isn’t enough or comes with undesired side effects. That’s why people are looking for natural alternatives to relieve the pain and increase their well-being. One of those alternatives is a cherry extract or cherry juice. In this article, we are going to talk about the benefits of using it for gout.
What is Gout?
It is a type of inflammatory arthritis that develops when there is a buildup of uric acid in the body. The body can’t eliminate the excess uric acid efficiently and it starts to crystallize and settle in the joints. It mostly affects the joint of your big toe but it can also affect the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
The symptoms include intense pain in the joints, redness, and swelling. It tends to be more severe within the first 4 to 12 hours and you can suffer an attack of gout suddenly in the middle of the night, you will feel that your joints are on fire.
The standard treatment for gout includes medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, corticosteroids, and the use of ice packs to reduce swelling. Changes in the diet are also required because some foods can raise uric acid levels so they should avoid organ meats, red meats, seafood, sugar. sweetened beverages, honey, agave, yeast, etc.
Besides this, people are also looking for ways to reduce their uric acid levels and treat gout naturally and one of their favorite choices is cherry extract and cherry juice.
Can Cherry Extract be Used for Gout?
The cherry extract is obtained from any type of cherry (black cherry, sour cherry, etc) and isn’t only delicious but also contains many beneficial nutrients for the health. Cherries are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and antioxidants.
Cherries are the fruit with the highest amount of anthocyanins, a specific type of antioxidants that are believed to be the main reason for its beneficial effects relieving the pain of gout. Antioxidants are compounds that fight against oxidative stress and free radicals which are molecules that react with other cells and harm them, they are responsible for the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and inflammatory conditions, due to this they can lower the levels of uric acid and reduce the swelling and pain related to gout. They also counteract the degenerative process in joints and the build-up of uric acid.
Cherries also act by inhibiting cyclooxygenases and normalizing C-reactive protein which is linked to inflammation and joint pain. The high levels of vitamin C are also believed to improve the pain levels and inflammation of gout.
Studies that Support the Use of Cherries for Gout?
Although we still need more research and evidence on the benefits of cherry extract for gout we already have some studies that are really promising.
A study was conducted in 2012 with 633 participants with gout who consumed at least 10 cherries a day and researchers found out that the risk of gout attacks was reduced about 35% and when the cherries were combined with allopurinol (a medication often used to reduce uric acid) reduce the risk to 75%.
Another study performed in 2011 found that tart cherry juice can significantly reduce the uric acid levels in participants with gout who drank 8 ounces of the juice every day for four weeks.
How Much Cherry Extract you Should Take?
There isn’t yet a standard dosage of cherry extract to treat gout but researchers recommend between two to three servings a day, less than two didn’t show outstanding results, and more than three there aren’t additional benefits. You can choose any type of cherry extract, there aren’t studies that one type has more benefits than the others. You can also drink cherry juice or consume them in whatever way you choose. If you wish to consume the cherry extract you can choose it in liquid, tablets, and powder forms over the counter just make sure that they don’t contain additives or added sugars.
The amount of what you consume depends on the severity of the symptoms and it is always best to talk to your doctor before starting to consume them.
It is important to know that cherry extract isn’t a magic solution on its own, you need to complement that with standard medication, changes in diet, and habits.
Are there any Risks of consuming Cherry extract?
Unless you have a cherry allergy there aren’t any risks of consuming cherries but this doesn’t mean that you have to consume them in excess, stick to the recommended dosage because eating too much cherry can cause diarrhea or digestive issues. Also, make sure to consume cherries without added sugars or other conservatives since as you read above sugar can increase the risk of building up uric acid.
Cherries are a Great Addition to your Diet
Relieving the pain is reducing inflammation are just the main reasons to consume cherries but not the only ones. Cherries are full of antioxidants which boost your immune system and help you fight infections, vitamin A prevents the aging process and keeps your skin healthy. Helps you sleep better and also boosts your body metabolism.
Final Thoughts
Gout is a condition that can affect your well-being and cause you a lot of pain if you suspect that you may suffer it you should go to the doctor to get a proper diagnosis and receive treatment. Discuss with him the possibility of taking cherry extract as part of the treatment, it has proven to be beneficial for people with gout in reducing pain and inflammation levels and unlike prescription medicine. it doesn’t come with side effects. If you complement that with medication and diet you are going to feel way better and improve your quality of life.
