Yes, cherries, especially tart cherries, are good for arthritis as their rich content of antioxidants like anthocyanins helps reduce inflammation, potentially easing pain and lowering flare-ups in conditions like osteoarthritis (OA) and gout. Studies show regular consumption, often via tart cherry juice, can decrease inflammatory markers and improve joint symptoms, acting similarly to some anti-inflammatory drugs.
Many fruits are packed with vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports joint health and may help prevent inflammatory arthritis. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and limes are excellent sources, along with strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, and cantaloupe.
Sensitivities to sugar alcohols or salicylates in cherries can cause an IBS flare, gas, bloating, stomach pain and diarrhea—even in people without IBS. Sensitivities also include allergies, especially if you're allergic to or have negative reactions to salicylate-containing products, like aspirin.
Studies, which often use the concentrated juice of Montmorency cherries, have found tart cherries may relieve joint pain in people with osteoarthritis (OA) and lower the risk of flares in those with gout.
One study found that simply enjoying 2 cups each day of sweet bing cherries for 2 weeks reduced the primary blood marker of inflammation (CRP) by 10 percent, while 4 weeks of daily cherry consumption reduced CRP levels by 25 percent.
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Cherry disadvantages include potential digestive upset (bloating, gas, diarrhea) from fiber and sugar alcohols, especially for those with IBS; allergy risks (especially for birch pollen sufferers); choking hazards from pits and stems; high potassium/sugar in juice for those with kidney issues; and oxalate content in sour cherries for kidney stone prone individuals, with cherry wood also posing challenges like tear-out during woodworking.
Injury to your skin. Certain medications. Bacterial infections, specifically strep throat. Other possible triggers: allergies, diet, alcohol intake, smoking and weather changes.
All berries have anti-inflammatory benefits, but Smolen highlights raspberries as standouts. “They aid in the reduction of inflammation and contribute to immune health,” she says, adding that raspberries are high in vitamin C and anthocyanins.
Research stretching back decades has shown that cherries decrease the chance of gout attacks, reduce disease severity and lower uric acid — usually within a few hours.
Cherries are full of polyphenol antioxidants, which are found in plants. These can help protect your heart from cell damage and reduce inflammation. A study of more than 84,000 people found that people who got more polyphenols in their diets from foods such as cherries had a lower risk of heart disease.
Cherry disadvantages include potential digestive upset (bloating, gas, diarrhea) from fiber and sugar alcohols, especially for those with IBS; allergy risks (especially for birch pollen sufferers); choking hazards from pits and stems; high potassium/sugar in juice for those with kidney issues; and oxalate content in sour cherries for kidney stone prone individuals, with cherry wood also posing challenges like tear-out during woodworking.
Cherries, particularly tart cherries, are a great bedtime snack. Rich in melatonin, they can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
Applying heating pads, taking hot baths or showers, or using warm paraffin wax can temporarily relieve join pain. Be careful not to burn yourself. Limit heating pad use to 20 minutes at a time. Ice packs can help lessen pain and inflammation, especially after physical activity.
To manage arthritis, avoid inflammatory foods like added sugars, refined carbs (white bread, pasta), processed meats (bacon, sausage), saturated fats (red meat, full-fat dairy), trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils), and excessive omega-6 oils, as these can worsen joint pain and swelling; also consider limiting alcohol and foods high in purines (like certain seafood, organ meats) if you have gout. Some people also find relief by avoiding nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant).
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The Mediterranean and DASH diets focus similarly on eating more plants, less red meat, and minimal ultra-processed foods and added sugars. Eating a variety of foods within these two diets can help with inflammation: Beans, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Green tea and coffee.
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Studies have found that berries rich in antioxidant polyphenols, like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and pomegranate, reduce inflammation and painful joint swelling. Eating to reduce pain sounds delicious!
Orange, tomato, pineapple and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation. Tart cherry juice has been shown to protect against gout flares and reduce OA symptoms.
To stop arthritis from getting worse, manage it proactively with low-impact exercise, a healthy anti-inflammatory diet, and weight management to reduce joint stress, while also using heat/cold therapy, assistive devices, and working with your doctor for treatments like physical therapy and medication. Protecting joints during daily activities, getting enough rest, and avoiding smoking are also key steps to slow progression and manage pain.
Soda, candy, ice cream and condiments all contain added sugars and should be avoided when possible. One study showed that foods with added sugars were the most likely to worsen the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Tart cherries, especially in supplement form, can interact with common blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril) and beta-blockers (bisoprolol, carvedilol). They may also affect blood thinners.
Cherries offer benefits like reducing inflammation and pain (arthritis/gout), improving heart health, boosting sleep quality (melatonin), aiding post-exercise recovery, and providing antioxidants and nutrients (Vitamin C, potassium) that fight chronic disease, making them a powerful addition to a healthy diet.
Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS): Individuals with cherry allergies may experience itching, swelling, or tingling in the mouth, lips, or throat shortly after consuming raw cherries. Mild symptoms often manifest as oral allergy syndrome (OAS), causing discomfort around the mouth and face.