What Cherry Juice Does for Arthritis

Fruits, even in the form of fruit juices, play an important role in a healthy lifestyle, particularly in the controlling of symptoms or prevention of numerous ailments and conditions. One such condition: arthritis. In this article, we shall delve into the world of the sweet and bright red fruit we have all come to love-the cherry-and how it is beneficial to those who suffer from arthritis.

Arthritis is a collection of a number of medically-defined conditions that affect the joints. Case in point, gout; gout is a form of arthritis that is caused by excess uric acid crystallizing on joints. This formation causes swelling immobility, accompanied by a great deal of pain.

It has long been accepted that cherries have anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that this is mainly because of its rich phytochemical content-particularly anthocyanins - which also happens to give the cherry its ruby-red color.

More importantly, the same anthocyanins act as pain receptors, making the cherry a natural and organic analgesic. They inhibit the enzymes cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2, which block pain signals transmitted to the brain; as with a little play on words, "without the brain, there is no pain."

Being that this article is focused on cherries in liquid form (juice), it is essential to note that the effectiveness of cherry juice for arthritis depends on the purity and concentration of the juice itself. In this makeshift scale of purity, cherries mulched at home, added with nothing but pure water is the same as eating cherries in its natural form. The more non-cherry ingredients you add-sugar, flavoring, etc.-the less pure, and therefore the less effective, the cherry becomes.

Taking into consideration arthritis as a whole, the main benefits sufferers can claim from the fruit are, number one, its anti-inflammatory properties, and number two, its pain-killing properties. However, using cherries solely for its pain-killing properties could not compare to the immediate benefits of using over-the-counter pain killers. In other words, do not rely on drinking cherry juice alone for your pain. As for anti-inflammatory, taking cherry juice for arthritis is seen more as a long-term symptom-controlling supplement than a cure. Because arthritis is chronic, the pain associated with it is chronic as well; taking cherry juice regularly enables you to have a steady supply of anti-inflammatories in your body, making living with the painful condition more manageable. Always remember to drink only the purest juice you can find; as with such, it is highly recommended to make your own juice (from fresh cherries) whenever possible.