Gout, a type of arthritis, affects the small joints of the hands and feet, and sometimes spreads to ankles, wrists and knees. Most forms of arthritis are painful, causing inflammation and disability; however, gout causes an exceptionally excruciating type of pain and suffering that may be crippling. Several natural therapies have been shown to relieve gout pain, and cherry juice is one of the more effective of these treatments. Speak to your health care practitioner if you intend to use cherry juice or other alternative treatments for serious disease.
Alkalinity
Cherries and cherry juice are high in potassium, a mineral that is especially important for proper kidney function. Gout develops when there is too much uric acid in the bloodstream, and it is not properly filtered and eliminated by the kidneys. Potassium helps the kidneys keep the body in a slightly alkaline state, preventing uric acid from forming crystals and depositing in the joints. There is less chance for the body to go into acidosis when your pH is slightly alkaline, helping uric acid to pass from the body through urination and preventing gout.
Cherry Juice
There are several kinds of cherries -- sweet and tart, red and yellow -- that may help reduce the pain and inflammation of gout. "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies," by Joe Graedon and Sifu Teresa Graedon, recommends drinking a glass of cherry juice mixed with water at the beginning of an attack to manage your symptoms. Both black and tart cherry juices are reputed to help relieve pain; however, most people seem to prefer tart cherry juice, finding it more effective for pain relief. Mix unsweetened juice or concentrate in a 1:1 ratio with water, using 4 oz. of juice to 4 oz. of water. Drink two glasses a day to stop an acute gout attack. Then reduce it to one glass a day for maintenance to prevent additional inflammation.
Eating Cherries
You may like eating cherries, in addition to drinking cherry juice to ward off gout attacks. The University of Michigan Health System reports that people who ate approximately 8 oz. of cherries daily noticed a significant reduction in gout pain and joint inflammatory responses. These results were seen in cases where people ate a variety of types of cherries, including, sweet, tart, cooked, raw, frozen and canned. You may alternate or add a portion of cherries to your diet alongside your tart cherry juice to benefit from their curative effects.
Other Considerations
Although there are numerous kinds of cherry juice on the market, organic juice is best. Drinking organic juice or cherry concentrate helps you avoid pesticide and chemical residue that may remain on cherries when they are turned into juice. If the juice it too tart, add stevia or a small amount of honey to sweeten. Cherry juice alone may not completely relieve gout for some people. However, adding it to your diet on a daily basis will add additional nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds to your system and may help reduce joint pain and inflammation in combination with other natural treatments.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Gout
- "Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease"; Maurice Shils; 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
- "The Acid Alkaline Balance"; Felicia Drury Kliment; 2002
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon MS and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
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