Tart Cherry Extract & Uric Acid
Uric acid levels in the blood can rise for several reasons, one of which is gout. Gout is an arthritic disease characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints. Tart cherries, whether eaten as whole fruit or in the form of juice, contain high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Some evidence has show that tart cherry consumption reduces uric acid levels, which could possibly provide a beneficial effect for those who suffer from symptoms of gout.
Tart Cherries
Tart cherries are most often found frozen, dried or concentrated into a juice. They contain high levels of beneficial flavanoids, phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, which have high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A study in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” investigated the antioxidant content of common foods and found that from the top 50 foods with the highest antioxidant content, sour cherries were ranked number 14.
Uric Acid
Uric acid is present in the blood as a product of the break down of purines. Purines in diet are found in liver, dried legumes, anchovies, beer and wine. According to the National Institutes of Health, most uric acid produced in the body is excreted in the urine, however if the body doesn’t remove enough, high levels of uric acid can result which is a symptom of a number of medical conditions.