Of all the good foods to eat for gout, cherries are top of the list.
Scientific studies have documented that eating cherries for gout:

  1. Reduces uric acid levels in the blood.
  2. Reduces the chance of having gout attacks.
  3. Reduces inflammation, which can help ease the pain of a gout attack.

    4. Why Are Cherries Helpful in Fighting Gout?

    The dark skins of cherries contain a substance called anthocyanin (a type of flavonoid) which is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help repair free-radical damage to the kidneys, helping them to eliminate uric acid more efficiently.

    – The anthocyanins in cherries act as powerful anti-inflammatories, comparable to NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.

    – Cherries are high in potassium, which helps to alkalize your body tissues and reduce uric acid.

    . . .

    Hi Bert,

    The “remedy” of BS and ACV worked immediately as you said it would. A steady diet of banana-blueberry smoothies, green tea and celery on Day 2 has kept the swelling down. Not sure what caused the flare up as we eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean beef, chicken and fish, and moderate alcohol use. Your theory of too much acid, possibly caused by stress, makes sense. Will try lemon-infused water to make my body more alkaline – plus continue the bananas, celery and cherries. Other ideas welcome. The drugs the doctor prescribed were making me sick, so your remedy (other than the ACV ? was a welcome relief.

    Paul

    . . .

    Which Type of Cherry Is Best?

    Studies have found that tart (sour) cherries have significantly more medicinal potency than sweet (black) cherries, but eating sweet cherries will still provide gout-reducing benefits.

    How Do I Get the Gout-reducing Benefits of Cherries?

    1. Eating whole, fresh, organic cherries is always best. However, cherries are not always in season.
    2. Eating whole, frozen, organic cherries is second-best. I keep my freezer stocked up and include them in my morning smoothies.
    3. Drinking cherry juice is the next best alternative, though less desirable because the beneficial fiber from the skin and pulp has been removed.
    4. Powdered cherries, in the form of cherry extract pills (supplements), are by far the most convenient way to make sure you are getting your daily dose of cherries.

    How Many Cherries Do I Need to Consume?

    As a daily dose for gout prevention, you should:

    • Eat 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh or frozen whole cherries per day; or
    • Drink 2-4 ounces of cherry juice per day; or
    • Take 1-2 cherry extract pills per day.

    If you need to knock down an active gout attack, double or triple the above amounts.

     + Bottom Line — Cherries are scientifically proven to help lower uric acid levels, prevent gout, and reduce inflammation. One way or another, make sure you get some cherries down the hatch every single day!