Cherries
Scientists at Boston University found that consuming up to three servings of 10-12 cherries each day reduced the risk of a gout attack.
The study of 633 patients with gout found those who ate the fruit over a two day period were 35 per cent less likely to suffer an attack.
Professor Yuqing Zhang, who published the findings in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, said: ‘The gout flare risk continued to decrease with increasing cherry consumption.’
Gout is a type of arthritis and is caused by a build up of uric acrid in the blood and tissues. It affects one in 70 adults in the UK, and five times more men than women.
Prolonged build up produces crystals of urate which can form around the joints and kidneys. When the crystals enter the joint they trigger inflammation and the painful attacks commonly experienced with gout. If left untreated, gout can lead to joint damage and other complications.
Tart cherry juice works by helping to dissolve these crystals and provides valuable pain relief for gout sufferers.
Cherrygood, the UK’s leading cherry juice drink, contains the juice of tart Montmorency cherries which have the highest antioxidant level of any fruit and excellent anti-inflammatory properties.
Previous research at the Human Nutrition Research Centre at the University of California showed that women who consumed 280g of tart cherries showed an overnight 15 per cent reduction in uric acid levels.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in Health Diet Healthy eating Super Food Healthy Food