Cherries & Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that can cause severe pain and inflammation in the joints. It is important to eat a gout-friendly diet to help manage the condition. Some foods high in purines (which can trigger gout attacks) include red meat, organ meats, seafood, and alcohol. You should avoid these foods or limit your intake if you have gout.
Cherries have long been used as a natural remedy for gout. Some researchers believe that cherries' compounds may help prevent gout attacks by reducing inflammation and uric acid levels in the body.
A small study published in 2012 found that drinking cherry juice or eating cherries daily was associated with a lower risk of gout attacks. And a more extensive study published in 2015 found that people who ate at least ten cherries per week had a 35% lower risk of developing gout than those who didn't eat any cherries (Gaby, 2017)
While more research is needed to confirm the link between cherries and gout, there's no harm in adding this delicious fruit to your diet. If you're looking for a way to add more cherries to your diet, try adding them to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal, tossing them into a salad, or using them as a topping for yogurt or ice cream. You can also find dried cherries in many supermarkets. Just be sure to check the label, as some brands add sugar or other sweeteners to their products.
References:
Gaby, A. (2017). Nutritional medicine (Second edition). Fritz Perlberg Publishing.