Can Eating Cherries Prevent Gout Attacks?
They may help lower the risk. In 633 people with gout, eating fresh cherries or cherry extract over the previous two days was linked to fewer gout attacks, with the lowest risk seen when cherries were combined with allopurinol. This was an observational study, so it cannot prove cause. Cherries are not a replacement for medication, but they can be a simple addition to a gout-friendly lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
✔ Cherry intake was linked to a 35% lower risk of gout attacks.
✔ Cherry extract showed similar protection, reducing risk by 45%.
✔ Combining cherries with allopurinol cut gout attack risk by 75%.
✔ Benefits appeared at about 2 to 3 servings in a 2-day period.
✔ Effects were consistent across men, women, obese and non-obese groups.
Actionable Tip
If you struggle with gout, eating cherries or taking a cherry extract may lower your risk of flares. In this study, the benefit grew up to about 3 half-cup servings over 2 days (roughly 30 to 35 cherries), and more than that added nothing. For those already on allopurinol, cherries may provide even stronger protection.
Study Summary
Researchers from Boston University studied 633 gout patients over one year. Using a case-crossover design, they compared patients’ cherry intake in the days before a gout attack to periods without an attack. Eating cherries or cherry extract within the previous two days was linked to a significantly lower chance of having a flare.
Study Design
- Participants: 633 adults with physician-diagnosed gout.
- Design: Online, case-crossover study (each participant served as their own control).
- Follow-up: 12 months.
- Exposure: Fresh cherry intake (measured in servings) and cherry extract use.
- Outcome: Risk of recurrent gout attack within 2-day hazard periods compared with control periods.
Results
- Cherries: 35% reduced risk of gout attacks (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.85).
- Cherry extract: 45% reduced risk (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.98).
- Dose effect: Protection strongest at ~2 to 3 servings in 2 days; higher amounts did not add benefit.
- Allopurinol + cherries: 75% lower risk compared to neither (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.42).
- Consistency: Effects were seen across sex, weight status, alcohol intake, and diuretic use.
How Cherries May Protect Against Gout
- Lower uric acid: Cherries may reduce uric acid by decreasing xanthine oxidase activity and improving kidney clearance.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Rich in anthocyanins, cherries can block inflammatory pathways like COX and nitric oxide radicals.
- Antioxidant support: Bioactive compounds reduce oxidative stress, which may help calm joint inflammation.
Strengths and Limits
Strengths:
- Large sample size of gout patients.
- Case-crossover design reduces bias from genetics or lifestyle differences.
- Consistent benefit across multiple subgroups.
Limits:
- Observational, not randomized.
- Cherry intake self-reported, which can introduce recall errors.
- Does not prove long-term effects of habitual cherry use.
- Did not directly measure uric acid levels in participants.
Related Studies and Research
Vitamin C and Uric Acid: Gout Study: Examines whether vitamin C supplementation can lower uric acid levels.
Loss of Uricase in Human Evolution and Health: Reviews the genetic loss of uricase and its role in modern diseases.
History of Gout and Its Treatment: Tracks the evolution of gout understanding and treatment methods.
Podcast: How to Make Gout Disappear from Your Life: A comprehensive look at modern and ancient gout science, and how to beat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cherries should I eat to prevent gout attacks?
The strongest benefits were seen at about 2 to 3 servings over 2 days, with one serving being half a cup or 10 to 12 cherries (roughly 20 to 35 cherries in all).
Does cherry extract work as well as fresh cherries?
Yes, cherry extract showed similar benefits in reducing risk.
Can I replace my allopurinol with cherries?
No. Cherries are an addition, not a substitute. The best results came when cherries were combined with allopurinol.
Do sweet cherries and tart cherries both help?
This study counted cherries in general. Tart cherries tend to have higher anthocyanin levels, and tart cherry juice lowered uric acid in an animal study the authors cite.
How fast do cherries work?
The protective effect was seen within just 2 days of intake.
Bottom Line
Cherries, whether fresh or in extract form, were linked to a lower risk of gout flares. The lowest risk was seen when they were combined with allopurinol. While more randomized trials are needed, adding cherries to your diet is a simple, safe, and potentially powerful tool for gout prevention.
