Consuming Montmorency tart cherries can alleviate gout pain because of their effect on uric acid metabolism. Tart cherries have been previously associated with pain relief, but this is the first time that the Montmorency variety has been specifically identified for that purpose.
A research team headed by Dr. Glyn Howatson and Ph.D. student Philip Bell from Northumbria University's department of sport, exercise and rehabilitation explored the effects of Montmorency tart cherry juice consumption in healthy individuals, identifying levels of uric acid in the blood and urine to determine results.
There were 12 participants in the study, and each was given two doses of concentrated tart cherry juice for each phase. Each phase lasted two days with a 10-day washout period in between. The first dose was given in the morning, while the second one was administered just before dinner.
The first dose was 30ml of concentrated Montmorency cherry juice mixed with 100ml of water. The second dose was 60ml of the same juice concentrate mixed in with 100ml of water.
Blood and urine samples were collected immediately after the doses were administered and in intervals for the next 48 hours. Results showed that levels of uric acid in the blood were reduced while uric acid levels in urine spiked, suggesting that the Montmorency tart cherry juice promoted the elimination of harmful acids in the body.
The experiment also yielded the same results whether participants consumed 30ml or 60ml of Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate.
The findings of the research team from Northumbria University were published in the Journal of Functional Foods and supported by another study, also published in the same journal. The second study, conducted by University of Michigan's Dr. E. Mitchell Seymour and Dr. Sara M. Warber, showed that antioxidant levels in the blood increased after frozen Montmorency tart cherries were consumed frozen, remaining elevated even until after 12 hours.
Financial support for the studies were provided by the not-for-profit Cherry Marketing Institute. Though the organization aims to promote the consumption and use of cherries, the organization had no hand in the experiment.
Montmorency tart cherries are available in juice, dried, and frozen forms throughout the year. In juice form, the cherry can be diluted with water, mixed with other juices, or consumed straight. It may also be added to recipes of smoothies and other fruit juices.
