Cherry juice may be good for gout.

More Info: The benefit of the effectiveness of cherry juice for gout is more anecdotal than scientific.  One small study performed in the 1950's did provide some evidence that cherries were helpful for gout but has been dismissed by the scientific community because the study did not utilize placebo group.

A second, more recent study demonstrated that cherries lower the urate levels in the bloodstream, which can lead to gout.  Again, this is merely suggestive evidence as many things lower urate levels and do not affect the incidence of gout and furthermore many cases of gout are not even associated with urate levels.

The suggested intake for medicinal purposes is one-half pound of cherries daily or 8-16 oz of cherry juice per day.

What Are the Effects of Elevated Uric Acid Levels?

The effects of elevated uric acid levels in the blood forms into solid crystals that centralize in the joints in different parts of the body, resulting in a condition called gout. This condition is accommodated by excruciating pain. If it goes untreated for any length of time, the crystals can build up into the joints forming hard and lumpy deposits. High levels can result in kidney stones or kidney failure. Medication can be prescribed for the condition to lower the amount of uric acid in the blood. Other ways to keep the uric acid levels balanced is to avoid foods that are high in purine.

What Are the Health Benefits of Cherries?

Cherries offer numerous health benefits, and pack a large amount of nutrition into a small package. One of the main benefits of cherries is their high content of anthocyanins, which are used by the body to produce amino acids. In addition to protecting the body, anthocyanins also possess natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Cherries are high in Vitamin C, and also contain fiber, both of which are important components of a healthy diet. Finally, cherries contain melatonin, which has been shown to help regulate sleep cycles.