Cherries for Gout
In the category of food supplements or natural remedies for gout, cherry and its derivatives would always rank first. This is because of the nutritional value of cherries. Cherries contain anthocyanins, the source of the dark color of berries. Anthocyanins are a type of phytonutrients called flavonoids and are known anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agents. Using cherries for gout might be something you want to try if you want to stay away from the gout medications.
Another nutritional value of cherries is the amount of antioxidants they contain. Cherries contain powerful antioxidants in the same amount as that of blueberries. Antioxidants are known to target free-radicals in the body, helping in the fight against cancer, heart disease and aging. These known benefits and of course the wonderful taste of cherries makes them popular among gout patients wanting to complement their treatment with natural, safe alternatives.
Cherries have a very short growing season. Although cherries can grow in most climates, they may not be available everywhere throughout the year. If they are available off-season, they can be quite expensive. In times like this or even for convenience, gout patients resort to derivatives of cherries. These are cherry extracts in pill or powder form, dried, frozen or canned cherries and cherry juice. The two most commonly used among gout patients, particularly those on the go, are cherry extracts and cherry juice.
Cherry Juice for Gout
Cherry juice is found to contain the highest antioxidant strength at 12,000 ORAC units. Antioxidant strength is measured in terms of Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC. There are a lot available on the market. For convenience, gout patients can try the following well-rated cherry juices available right here:
- Natural Sources – Black Cherry Concentrate, 16 fl oz liquid
- Cheribundi Tru Cherry, 8-Ounce (Pack of 12)
- Lakewood PURE Black Cherry Juice, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)
- Tart Is Smart Tart Cherry Concentrate, 32-Ounce Bottle
Cherry Extracts for Gout
Cherry extracts are definitely popular for gout patients who want the cherry advantage in easy-to-pop pills. We offers well-rated cherry extracts in the pill form available right here. Here are a few brands widely used by gout patients:
Be sure to consult your doctor about complementing your gout treatment with any gout food supplements. It cannot be stressed enough that gout is a complicated disease that can be triggered by changes in the body chemistry brought about by a host of many factors including diet.