Gout sufferers, like many people with painful medical conditions, are continually bombarded with so-called miracle cures. One of these “miracle” cures for gout centers on eating cherries. Here’s why it’s a myth …

Gout diet: cherries or not cherries?

Before deciding on a diet for gout, it is important to understand the nature of this unique medical condition. Gout is a form of arthritis that results from uric acid in the body forming painful, spur-like crystals in the joints. It usually affects men between the ages of 40 and 50.

Like any form of arthritis, gout is an inflammation, a painful swelling so to speak. Gout usually attacks the big toe, but it can affect other parts of the body as well. The condition is caused by a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, which is worth emphasizing, because there is no miracle cure for a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. And frankly, you should run away from anyone or anything that promises you otherwise.

Now for cherries and their reputation as a cure, all for this painful condition. On their own, cherries, like most berries, are an excellent dietary option. They are tasty, rich in vitamins and low in fat and calories. Yes, cherries also have some anti-inflammatory properties, which is also true for most berries.

Adding cherries to your diet can be helpful if you have gout. The key word is “can”. It is just one of many factors that you will need to implement if you want to control your condition.

The bottom line

If someone were to ask whether or not to add cherries to their diet if they have gout, the answer would be “yes.” But don’t expect a handful of cherries to be a miracle cure. It will not happen.

You will have to attack their condition from two fronts. First, from the point of view of the activity. The vast majority of those with gout are overweight or even obese. Exercise is a crucial factor in managing this condition, and many others as well, such as high blood pressure. Even if you’re not fit enough for vigorous exercise, a daily one-mile walk is a great starting point.

The second point of attack is your diet. The answer here is the same for any medical condition, particularly weight loss. Avoid fried and greasy foods, along with the empty calories from salty snacks and alcohol. Instead, introduce more lean cuts into your meals, along with green leafy fruits and vegetables. Yes, even cherries!

The key is to change your lifestyle, not to rely on a miracle cure that doesn’t exist. The hardest part of conquering many medical conditions is changing the way you think. Eliminate the idea of ​​a miracle pill and focus on the task at hand. Your body will thank you!

Summary

The best diet for gout is one that is balanced, high in fiber, and low in fat. Cherries can be a good source of vitamins and minerals and offer some helpful anti-inflammatory properties. But don’t be fooled by the myth that eating cherries will cure gout on its own. It just isn’t true.

Rely on solid, practical advice to manage your condition, even if it’s not what you want to hear. Treating gout is not easy, but it can be done with the right mindset and lifestyle changes.

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