An autoimmune condition, arthritis occurs when your body begins to attack its own tissues and bones, which results in severe inflammation and pain. While anti-inflammatories often help in fighting pain and curbing inflammation, they come with a lot of side effects.
Experts recommend that a well-balanced Mediterranean diet filled with fruits and vegetables can help decrease inflammation and relieve arthritic pain. One such fruit known for its inflammation-fighting properties is cherry.
How Cherries Help In Arthritis
A popular folk medicine, cherries have been used for centuries to treat inflamed joints. But while some people dismissed these medicinal benefits as mere folklore, science now has proof to validate these claims.
Packed with anthocyanins, cherries have been shown to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and gout. [1] Known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers, anthocyanins present in cherries protect the connective tissue from free radical damage, thus curbing inflammation. [2]
According to a 2013 article published in the Journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, arthritis patients who consumed two 8oz bottles of tart cherry juice daily found a significant improvement in pain, stiffness and physical movement [3]. Another study found that daily consumption of tart cherry juice reduced the serum biomarkers for inflammation. [4]
How To Use Them
- To make fresh tart cherry juice, take 15-16 cherries (around one cup), remove the seeds and add two to three cups of water. Blend it well in a mixer. Strain and add sugar or honey to taste. You can also add other fruits such as apples and strawberries to enhance the flavor. Have a glass daily to see an improvement.
- Binge on cherries, tart cherries, black cherries and other varieties. Add them to your cereals, desserts or try our nutritious Cherry Pie Recipe. Also read about 5 Ways To Include Cherries In Your Diet.
- Dried cherries also make a nourishing mid-morning and post-workout snack.
For more interesting stories, visit our Health page. Read more about Natural Remedies here.
Read More:
6 Reasons To Eat Cherries For Good Health
Fix That Dish: Cherry Pie Made Healthy
Eat To Beat Arthritis Inflammation
References:
1. Zhang Y, Neogi T, Chen C, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Choi HK. Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Dec;64(12):4004-11. doi: 10.1002/art.34677. PubMed PMID: 23023818; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3510330.
2. He YH, Xiao C, Wang YS, Zhao LH, Zhao HY, Tong Y, Zhou J, Jia HW, Lu C, Li XM, Lu AP. [Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cyanidin from cherries on rat adjuvant-induced arthritis]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Oct;30(20):1602-5. Chinese. PubMed PMID: 16422543.
3. 1: Schumacher HR, Pullman-Mooar S, Gupta SR, Dinnella JE, Kim R, McHugh MP. Randomized double-blind crossover study of the efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2013 Aug;21(8):1035-41. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2013.05.009. Epub 2013 May 31. PubMed PMID: 23727631.
4. Jacob RA, Spinozzi GM, Simon VA, Kelley DS, Prior RL, Hess-Pierce B, Kader AA. Consumption of cherries lowers plasma urate in healthy women. J Nutr. 2003 Jun;133(6):1826-9. PubMed PMID: 12771324.
