Dietary solutions to gout
Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis, and many sufferers continue to experience recurrent attacks. Because gout is such a painful condition, the search for simple lifestyle solutions is ongoing.
Cherries have become a source of interest for both patients and researchers, with some evidence suggesting that cherry consumption can help to lower serum uric acid levels (uric acids is a well known trigger of gout). Cherries, and cherry products contain high levels of anthocyanins, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and these may help to reduce the pain associated with gout.
The research
A study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism examined 633 gout patients, and compared the risk of gout attack after cherry intake with no cherry intake. All subjects had experienced a gout attack in the previous 12 months, had been diagnosed with gout by a doctor, and were over the age of 18. The participants were predominantly men.
Subjects were asked to fill out a survey at three monthly intervals, and also every time they had an attack of gout over the next 12 months. Details were gathered on gout symptoms, risk factors, and what they had eaten.
The researchers discovered that eating cherries over a 2-day period was associated with a 35 percent decrease in the risk of gout attacks compared with no intake. A serving was defined as one half-cupful, or 10 to 12 cherries. Subjects who ate more cherries - up to three servings in two days - had an even lower reduction in risk. However, further intake above 3 servings did not appear to provide a greater protective effect. Some subjects also consumed a cherry extract, which was associated with a 45 percent risk reduction. These results occurred independently of other risk factors for gout, including gender, race and alcohol consumption.
The researchers concluded that cherries and cherry extract have a powerful anti-inflammatory and urate-lowering effect which can prevent attacks among patients with pre-existing gout. However, they also stressed that some of the positive results may have occurred due to unmeasured factors, and that more detailed research is needed.
While eating cherries may prove beneficial, it is not suggested that gout sufferers should abandon their present treatment without speaking to a doctor.
How to include more cherries in your diet
Cherries are a versatile and delicious fruit that can be included in your diet in many ways:
- With yoghurt - Remove the stone, and add 10-12 cherries to a 1/4 cup of low fat natural yoghurt. This is ideal for breakfast or served as a snack.
- In salsa - Remove the stone and chop up 10 - 12 cherries, combining with chopped pink onion, tomato, garlic and basil to make a salsa. Spread over cooked fish, steak or chicken.
- As a snack - Cherries are delicious on their own as a snack between meals. A serving of 10 cherries contains just 180 kilojoules (42 calories)
- As part of a fruit compote - Add cherries (stones removed) and a selection of other fruits to a saucepan with a small amount of water and simmer until the fruit softens (but not into a pulp). Add a little cinnamon or vanilla if desired, and allow to cool. Serve over breakfast cereal, with yoghurt or instead of jam on toast
- Frozen - Remove the stone, and store fresh cherries in the freezer, because they are not usually available all year round. Some supermarkets may also stock frozen cherries.
References are available on request