Gout is an acute form of arthritis caused by abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) – in those people who have a hereditary predisposition for this condition. Any joint may be affected by gout, but it usually starts in the knee or foot.
People with gout may need to avoid foods that are high in purines such as meats (especially organ meats), seafood, lentils, beans, peas, and soy – or – they may need to eat lots of cherries. Cherries have the ability to reduce hyperuricemia. It doesn't matter if the cherries are fresh, frozen, canned or juiced. In one study, 12 gout patients on a non-restricted diet ate about one pound of fresh or canned cherries daily. Blood uric acid was reduced to normal in all ofthem. [Blan LW. Texas Rep Biol Med 8:309-12, 1950.1 There is also evidence that supplementary folic acid and vitamin C may also help to decrease uric acid levels.
