| Could there be a nicer way of beating gout than by | | | | strawberries is not exactly the same as that of |
| eating a couple of bowls of strawberries a day? | | | | cherries, but sweet cherries and strawberries share a |
| They are, after all, one of the world's most | | | | couple of them. |
| loved and delicious fruits. So is this idea, which is | | | | There is one more health positive fact about |
| quite well known in the world of gout treatment, a | | | | strawberries. Their proanthocyanidin (abbreviated as |
| myth or magic? What does the evidence amount to? | | | | PCO's or OPC's) levels are high, much higher than in |
| A GOUT POSITIVE NUTRITIONAL PROFILE | | | | cherries. |
| It is true that the nutritional profile of strawberries is | | | | STRAWBERRY TESTIMONIALS |
| positive for natural gout treatment. Probably the | | | | If you're looking for a natural gout remedy, and |
| most important fact is their high Vitamin C content, | | | | which gout sufferer isn't, all this is very interesting, |
| around 59 mg per 100 grams of fruit. This puts them | | | | but are there any real world testimonials? |
| towards the top of the high-in-Vitamin C fruits' tables. | | | | The most quoted historical character who advocated |
| Way above cherries. They are moderately alkaline, | | | | strawberries for gout was the Swedish botanist Carl |
| alkaline neutral or just mildly acidic so their effect on | | | | Linnaeus (1707-1778). He said that his |
| the body's pH amounts is not likely to be much, and | | | | strawberries-only diet had cured or alleviated his gout. |
| may be mildly positive. They contain about 91% | | | | Accounts vary as to what he precisely said, but |
| water, are low purine and moderate on the Glycemic | | | | there is no doubt that he thought strawberries were |
| Index. All these facts make them a good gout food. | | | | helpful, and in his time he was a famous and |
| And because their flavonoids amounts are high, | | | | respected botanist. So he knew a lot about |
| their flavonoids-to-Vitamin C ratio is pretty good | | | | strawberries. But don't eat a strawberries-only diet. |
| which means that their Vitamin C is likely to be | | | | This is a crash diet and crash diets are now thought |
| better absorbed and thus have a stronger | | | | to probably increase gout attacks. You can easily get |
| therapeutic effect. | | | | strawberries into a low purine gout diet. Or into a |
| Some studies have shown that Vitamin C does | | | | carbohydrate restricted diet, such as the Zone diet, |
| reduce uric acid levels, which makes Vitamin C for | | | | because they are moderate on the Glycemic Index. |
| gout a good idea. In these studies the lowest | | | | Modern real world testimonials to the value of |
| amount required to do this was 500 mg daily. It's not | | | | strawberries in gout treatment can be read on the |
| hard to get 500 mg of Vitamin C naturally from | | | | Internet. And for pain alleviation too. Of course you |
| foods and drinks. | | | | can also read that strawberries had no effect. |
| Strawberries' flavonoids are anthocyanidins, | | | | It's a pity that more isn't known about strawberries |
| flavan-3-ols and flavonols. Quercetin, which has been | | | | for gout. But all these hints and signs, and in the case |
| thought to reduce uric acid levels, is a flavonol. There | | | | of Vitamin C for gout, studies too, do suggest that a |
| is some Quercetin in strawberries. | | | | daily bowl of strawberries is a good idea for a gout |
| Better known and researched are the anthocyanidins | | | | diet, especially when combined with other natural |
| which have also been thought to reduce uric acid | | | | remedies for gout. |
| levels. Researchers have considered that it is the | | | | NB. The contents of this article contain medical |
| anthocyanidins in cherries for example, that may | | | | information not medical advice. Please always discuss |
| account for their uric acid lowering success in some | | | | gout remedies with your doctor or other health care |
| small studies. The anthocyanidin profile of | | | | professional, before implementing any treatment. |