Approximately 8.3 million American adults have gout. While gout treatment is available, many people still suffer with recurrent gout attacks. According to study results published online September 28, 2012 in Arthritis & Rheumatism, people with gout who ate cherries over a two-day period had a 35% lower risk of gout attacks compared to people with gout who did not eat cherries. The study also determined that, when cherry consumption was combined with allopurinol treatment, the risk of gout flares was 75% lower than during periods when neither cherries or allopurinol were ingested.
Of the 633 study participants who were followed for one year, 35% ate fresh cherries, 2% ingested cherry extract, and 5% consumed a combination of both. Researchers determined that eating cherries or cherry extract lowered the risk of gout attacks. One serving of cherries was considered one half cup or 10-12 cherries. In the study, the gout flare risk continued decreasing with increasing cherry intake -- up to 3 servings over 2 days. Eating more than that amount did not lower risk further.
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