People who have had one episode of gout are usually anxious to learn how they can avoid another attack. The pain is so intense that even the light touch of a sheet on the affected joint may be unbearable. Doctors often tell such sufferers to avoid beer and other alcohol, stick to low-fat dairy products and cut back on seafood and red meat. Beverages with high-fructose corn syrup cause trouble. Many people insist that drinking tart cherry juice can soothe gout pain.
Cherries to Soothe Gout Pain:
Q. I have never had gout, but I know people who have had it. I read that cherry juice could have a positive effect on gout. So when one friend had a bad case of gout, I bought him a bottle of cherry juice and a box of fresh cherries. He had relief very quickly and continued to drink cherry juice on a regular basis. He tells people I cured him of his gout.
I mentioned cherries to another woman who had gout. She told me when she was leaving the doctor’s office with a prescription, his nurse whispered to her, “Just get some cherry juice.”
A. Gout is a very painful disorder in which uric acid crystals accumulate in one or more joints, triggering an attack. Several observational studies have shown that people who eat cherries or take cherry extract are less likely to have a gout flare-up ( Arthritis and Rheumatism, Dec. 2012; Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, June 2015). As the scientists note, this is an association and could simply mean that people with less severe gout can rely on cherries instead of medicine.
How Does Tart Cherry Juice Soothe Gout Pain?
Research in humans and animals shows, however, that tart cherry juice can lower uric acid (Journal of Nutrition, June 2003; Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 15, no. 1, 2009). In one study, overweight people who drank a cup of tart cherry juice a day had lower levels of uric acid in their blood (Current Developments in Nutrition, Feb. 25, 2019). They also had lower levels of C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation, while they consumed cherry juice rather than placebo beverage. Even sweet cherries seem to have some anti-inflammatory effects (Journal of Nutrition, March 2013).
Cherry Concentrate Against Gout Flare-up:
Q. I am in my early 60s but I’ve been hobbling around like an old man after a couple of bad bouts with gout. I have been on a prescription to treat that along with various other meds for high cholesterol and blood pressure. I’m sure they all contribute to my aches and pains.
Several months ago I felt my gout flaring up in my big toe. Instead of getting a new drug to treat this, I went online and read that drinking concentrated tart cherry juice every day can knock gout pain out almost overnight.
I had a hard time finding concentrated tart cherry juice but finally found a bottle at a health food store. It made me cringe to pay $17 per bottle but I took two tablespoons of the stuff before going to bed. The next morning I woke up with no pain in my big toe. A couple of days later, I realized that the very creaky and painful bones in my feet, ankles, knees and hips were not hurting and I was no longer hobbling when I walked.
Several months later, I am still almost pain-free. It is so good to be able to walk normally again.
A. Thanks for sharing your story. Eating tart cherries, drinking juice or taking cherry extract seem to reduce the likelihood of a gout attack by around 35 percent (Arthritis and Rheumatism, Dec. 2012).
You may know that staying away from alcoholic beverages and purine-rich foods such as anchovies, sardines, mussels or liver can also help lower your risk of a gout attack (Evidence-Based Medicine, online Feb. 16, 2013).
Tart Cherry Extract Helps Nasty Neck Pain:
Q. For years, I suffered with moderate to severe neck pain. Surgery, physical therapy, acupuncture and massage all provided temporary relief, but the pain rebounded before very long.
I recently tried tart cherry juice and almost immediately my neck pain was relieved. I take my morning pills with the juice and don’t miss a day.
A. Researchers interested in muscle performance have studied tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) in the form of juice or concentrate (International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, March 1, 2021). Investigators have also explored the potential benefit of tart cherries for easing the pain of gout (Current Rheumatology Reviews, 2024).
Learn More:
This is the first we have heard that cherry juice could alleviate neck pain. If you would like to learn more about cherries and other nondrug approaches to managing joint pain, you may be interested in our 100-page book, The Graedons’ Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. You can find it in the books section of the store at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
You can learn more about gout and other non-drug approaches to common ailments in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies. We have more details on cherries and other home remedies for joint pain in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
