How Cherries Can Be Used to Treat Gout - By: John Cielo

Eating cherries is a very popular and effective gout home remedy according to many sufferers and some studies. Not only can cherries help to reduce the risk of having a gout attack, they can also help to reduce the inflammation and pain. Here you'll discover how cherries can be used to treat gout.

Many Folks Have Reported Success in Treating Gout With Cherries

There has been anecdotal evidence for years that cherries help to reduce gout symptoms. You just need to visit some of the online health forums and the likes of Yahoo Answers to see tons of examples. And, of course, you can also read about some people for whom cherries haven't worked.

Studies Have Shown a Link Between Cherries and Reducing Gout Symptoms

But there have been several studies that do in fact suggest a link between the consumption of cherries and the reduction of gout symptoms. What these studies have not been able to do is 'prove' that cherries cure gout. In other words they haven't been able to prove cause and effect.

However, the studies definitely showed a link between cherries and gout. One study, in particular, suggested that a gout sufferer eating just 20 cherries every day had a 50% lower risk of having a gout attack, and a sufferer taking cherry extract had a 40% less chance of getting a gout attack.

In the absence of any real scientific proof of cause and effect, the researchers propose that it's the anthocyanins in cherries that provide the remedial effect. Anthocyanins are antioxidant flavonoids which help to stabilise free radicals in the body which cause inflammation and pain.

How Many Cherries Should Be Consumed?

The amount of cherries to consume for best effect seems to vary across the studies, with researchers' suggestions varying from as few as 6 per day up to many as 40 per day. Furthermore, researchers suggest that 20 cherries per day has the same effect as taking one NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) each day, but without the nasty side effects.

At least one study also found that cherries had the ability to lower blood uric acid levels. This is an important finding because high uric acid levels in the blood leads to the formation of crystals in the joints that trigger gout. So if you can lower uric acid to healthy levels then you can help to protect against gout.

Taking all the above into account it seems that, between attacks, 20 cherries per day may reduce your chances of having your next attack by 50%. And, should you be having a gout attack, 40 cherries every 4 hours can help to reduce inflammation and pain.

Cherry Extract Is Also Effective

Interestingly, it was shown in some studies that cherry extract and concentrated cherry juice, found in health food and specialty stores, can also have similar beneficial effects. So that where you cannot get fresh cherries then these other forms may be consumed in their place.

But Cherries Aren't The Only Home Remedy

Of course, consuming cherries for gout is only one effective home remedy. There are many more natural remedies and ways to beat gout, for example, other fruits, vegetables, herbal remedies, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, supplements, and so on. To give yourself the best possible chance of beating your gout you need to familiarize yourself with those too...

About the Author

To get more information on a range of natural remedies for gout please pay a visit to http://www.thegoutsite.com.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/John-Cielo/102758

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