Countless joint pain suffers now have a natural way to get relief from gout and arthritis pain. The answer many have been searching for is a simple unassuming fruit grown with a long history of offering great taste. The name of this little fruit is the Montmorency tart cherry. After years of folklore and old wives tales, the tart cherry is coming of age.

This little fruit is more widely known as an ingredient in cherry pies then as a pain fighter, but thanks to medical research conducted at a number of medical universities, the tart cherry is an effective treatment for gout and arthritis pain.

Cherries are a potent and natural source of a whole host of antioxidants including anthocyanins, flavonoids, vitamin A, C and E. However, the compound found in the tart cherry that has catch of the attention of gout suffers is anthocyanins. According to medical researchers at Michigan State University, anthocyanins have the ability to relieve inflammation in the body, joints and tissues.

To date, over 300 different anthocyanins have been identified. Anthocyanins belong to a specific class of flavonoids and each class offers different oxidations states and health benefits. The unique combination of anthocyanins and antioxidants found in tart cherries are shown to reduce inflammation in the body.

In published research results conducted by researchers a Michigan State University, tart cherries contain natural COX 1 and COX 2 inhibitors. In addition, the anthocyanins naturally found in tart cherries are at least 10 times more effective than common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAD's) including aspirin. Anthocyanins help to neutralize swelling in body tissue and can also help to dissolve uric acid crystals that form in the joints. It is due to these crystals that people experience gout pain. Studies also have shown that cherries can actually lower uric acid in the blood.

Anthocyanins help to restore damages tissues and dissolve uric acid to help stop a gout attack. When a part of the body suffers a gout attack or becomes inflamed, connective tissues begin to swell, separate and tear. As the capillaries break and burst, blood begins to spill over into the surrounding tissues and area. To prevent further damage, anthocyanins rush to the screen and begin to fight any destructive enzymes present. In addition, the tiny anthocyanins help to restore the damaged tissues to its original state.

So how much tart cherry is needed to benefit and fight joint pain? According to research, as little as 20 cherries is enough to combat the enzymes damaging the tissue and causing joint pain and inflammation. In addition, to the fresh cherries which are only available for a few short weeks during the summer harvest, tart cherry powder is fast becoming the tart cherry product of choice. Tart cherry powder is a concentrated form of tart cherries that is made from whole cherries and powdered into an easy-to-swallow capsule. For example, Fruit Advantage offers a highly concentrate form of tart cherry powder in which each daily serving is equivalent to 5 glasses of tart cherry juice without the sugar.