Gout is a kind of arthritis that mostly affects men age 40 and older. For decades doctors have been telling gout patients to eat cherries.  Gout is  nearly always associated with abnormally high concentration of uric acid in the blood. As uric acid concentrations increase or excretes too little, needle-like crystals of salt form called monosodium urate (MSU) In time, these crystals accumulate and cause inflammation and joint pain.

Cherry juice from Montmorency tart cherriescontain flavonoid compounds.  Flavonoid compounds  that help to lower uric acid and reduce inflammation. It is believed that the flavonoid compounds are effective in blocking the pain messages carried by the COX enzyme in the body. Use of cherries, cherry juice or other natural fruit products may help in reducing blood urate level.

The research findings of Dr. Robert A. Jacob with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Human Nutrition Center at the University of California at Davis and a team of researchers reveled that Cherry consumption reduces the blood uric acid levels. Gout, a painful disease of the joints, is associated with high uric acid levels.

The research findings of Dr. Robert A. Jacob with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Human Nutrition Center at the University of California at Davis and a team of researchers reveled that: "Cherry consumption reduces the blood uric acid levels."