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Science Supports Cherries to Fight Gout

Q. I have heard that sour cherry juice can ward off gout attacks. Have you heard of this remedy? My doctor thinks it is ridiculous.
A. Cherries have traditionally been recommended for gout prevention, but the medical evidence has been limited. One study has shown, however, that uric acid drops after people eat Bing cherries (Journal of Nutrition, June 2003).
Elevated uric acid triggers the excruciating pain of a gout attack, so this finding supports the potential usefulness of cherries against gout. Another reader reported: “I used tart cherries to cure a gout attack and it worked. The real news is that the pain from osteoarthritis of the hip joint diminished also. I’ve been able to reduce my use of Celebrex from 400 mg/day to 200 mg/day and still have less pain. Cherry juice or cherry concentrate in pills (CherryFlex) may be helpful.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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