Q. I read in your column that someone used “Certo” in juice to relieve painful arthritis in the hands. Is this the pectin with which one makes jelly? I did buy some and started putting a tablespoon in 8 ounces of pomegranate juice, as I have horrendous arthritis in my hands.
A. Certo is in fact a liquid pectin product used by home canners to make jams and jellies thicker. Readers have told us for ten years that Certo mixed with grape juice can help ease arthritis and joint pain. More recently someone suggested substituting pomegranate juice.
Here is a testimonial:
“I read about grape juice and Certo last fall while I was suffering a painful medial column collapse of the right foot that the doctor attributed to psoriatic arthritis. I was going to have surgery in late November, but tried the juice with Certo in October. I didn’t tell the doctor, as I didn’t want to be admonished.
“For some mysterious reason, the pain started subsiding, then went away. The doctor was amazed but said surgery should only be done as a last resort. I see him next month for a checkup and will mention the juice with Certo.
“I’m not saying that’s what put the arthritis in remission, but something happened, as I could hardly walk at the time. So I’ll continue taking it.”
We include recipes for grape juice with Certo, gin-soaked raisins and the Sam Houston arthritis drink in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
