May reduce symptoms of arthritis and gout

Tart cherry juice is frequently touted for its ability to alleviate arthritis symptoms such as joint pain and inflammation. In one trial, tart cherry juice decreased key inflammatory blood indicators in women with osteoarthritis, the most common kind of arthritis. Another study found that patients who drank two 8-ounce (240-ml) bottles of tart cherry juice daily had marginally less pain and stiffness after six weeks. The changes detected between those given cherry juice and those given a placebo, on the other hand, were quite minor. Tart cherry juice has also been studied for its effect on gout, a kind of arthritis characterized by frequent attacks of swelling and extreme pain.

Drinking tart cherry juice appears to lower blood levels of uric acid, a substance that, in excessive concentrations, can cause gout. Furthermore, multiple studies show that people with gout who consume fresh cherries or cherry juice concentrate on a daily basis are up to 50% less likely to have an attack. However, the total number of studies on this topic is few, and the majority are observational in nature. As a result, determining whether the cherry juice is the source of the lowered symptoms or if those with fewer gout symptoms are more likely to try alternative treatments like cherry juice is difficult.