Gout can be one of the most painful things that can happen to anyone.

According to Healthline, gout is “a general term for a variety of conditions caused by a buildup of uric acid.” And this buildup usually manifests in the form of swelling and pain in your feet, especially the joints and oftentimes the big toe. The pain can be described as a sudden and intense pain. (Imagine your foot feeling like it’s on fire.) [1]

And figures from the Arthritis Foundation show that “4 percent of American adults are affected by gout… with about 6 million men and 2 million women in the United States.” [2]

This may sound like a pretty common occurrence, but the good news is that various treatments are available.

And to remedy this, it’s key to know when and how this common form of arthritis happens.

Symptoms of gout

Sometimes, gout doesn’t come with any symptoms – called asymptomatic gout.

But when it does, you’ll definitely feel it! When you have gout, you’ll see the following signs and symptoms which usually last from 3 to 10 days: [3]

Intense pain and swelling
Tenderness
Stiffness
Warm joints
Discoloration – joints may have red or purple color

Most of the time, these "gout attacks” come from nowhere. You may not experience any symptoms at all, then before you know it – usually in the wee hours or first thing in the morning – trouble arises.

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Causes of gout

Gout is usually brought about by a buildup of uric acid.

People who have certain conditions like circulatory-related disorders, kidney or thyroid illnesses, problems in metabolism, or even as simple as dehydration or diet, are prone to gout.

Likewise, Healthline has identified profiles that are susceptible to gout, namely those who are: [4]

are a middle-aged man or postmenopausal woman
have parents, siblings, or other family members with gout
eat too much purine-rich food, such as red meats, organ meats, and certain fish
drink alcohol
take medications such as diuretics and cyclosporine
have a condition like high blood pressure, kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, or sleep apnea

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Does cherry juice work for gout?

Several studies show that cherry juice can actually treat gout, indicating that it brings down uric acid levels. Here are some of them:

A 2012 study which engaged 633 participants suffering from gout demonstrated that taking in a minimum of 10 cherries a day lowers the occurrence of gout flareups by 35 percent. And when taken with allopurinol, a medication for bringing down uric acid levels, the risk of flareups significantly goes down by 75 percent. Researchers from the Boston University Medical Center found that cherries are so effective in reducing uric acid because they have anthocyanins, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. [5]
This 2012 study demonstrates that cherry juice concentrate helps a lot with treating gout as it reduces uric acid levels in the body. The study even shows that cherry juice concentrate works better than pomegranate concentrate. And when consumed regularly – like in four months and more – cherry juice concentrate can steer you clear from gout flareups big time. [6]
A 2014 study performed by British researchers and published in the Journal of Functional Foods showed that drinking Montmorency tart juice lowered the blood levels of uric acid and boosted the levels of anthocyanin in the bloodstream. [7]
According to the 2011 study “The effect of 100% tart cherry juice on serum uric acid levels, biomarkers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk factors,” there’s considerable decrease in the serum uric acid levels among subjects who drank 8 ounces of 100% tart cherry juice daily in almost a month. [8]
A study by researchers from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick New Jersey presented in 2010 at the annual meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism found that taking a tablespoon of liquid tart cherry extract twice daily for four months significantly reduced gout attacks by 50 percent. [9]
A survey also shows that gout can help ease and mitigate symptoms. 43 percent of those who participated in the survey said they have taken cherry juice, extracts or concentrates for their gout symptoms, and those who took supplements with cherry juice observed fewer gout attacks. [10]