Anthocyanins and gout

There has been this interesting article on gout and cherries (“Can eating cherries prevent gout attacks?” Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2012/11/30/can-eating-cherries-prevent-gout-attacks/). The article is based on Zhang, Y., Neogi, T., Chen, C., Chaisson, C., Hunter, D. J. and Choi, H. K. (2012), Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 64: 4004–4011. doi: 10.1002/art.34677 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23023818. The authors concluded: “These findings suggest that cherry intake is associated with a lower risk of gout attacks.” In the Forbes’ article I’ve found: “The authors also note that cherries and cherry extract contain high levels of anthocyanins, which can have potent anti inflammatory properties.” I’ve consulted MeSH, but couldn’t find an article on gout and anthocyanins [ ("Anthocyanins"[Mesh]) AND "Gout"[Mesh] ]. But I’ve gone beyond this, I’ve looked for anthocyanins and inflammation. And there it is: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22703874, a study on inhibition of IL-6 and anthocyanins of cherry tart. And others have been tested as well: black raspberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, … Most probably all foods that have an effect on free radicals like anthocyanin, flavonoids, caroteenoids, and more will also have an effect on gout flares. Cherries don’t contain as much anthocanins like blackberries, elderberries, blueberries, or black currants. Maybe someone will test daily dark berries against vanilla fudge in reducing gout flares, but maybe we won’t get this study.

Dear gout patients, what keeps you from eating berries or drinking dark berry juices? It’s healthy, no doubt!

PS: I forgot, who has sent the link to the Forbes' article. I'll add this information as soon as I have it.

Other blog posts on gout:
http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2012/12/acr2012-abstracts-on-gout-without-drug.html
http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2012/04/expedition-into-world-of-gout_27.html