Berries and Cherries Beat Pain and Inflammation

While many people opt for aspirin as their first course of action when they feel pain, Muraleedharan Nair, PhD, professor of natural products and chemistry at Michigan State University, found that tart cherry extract is 10 times more effective than aspirin at relieving inflammation.

Only two tablespoons of the concentrated juice need to be taken daily for effective results. In later experiments, Dr. Nair found that sweet cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries have similar effects.

Other research has shown that blueberries are also excellent pain relievers. Scientists discovered that blueberries increase the amounts of compounds called heat-shock proteins. Heat shock proteins decrease as people age, thereby causing inflammation, pain and tissue damage. By increasing heat shock proteins, blueberries reduce inflammation, pain, and even tissue damage.

Adapted with permission from Arthritis-Proof by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Patricia H.

8:28PM PST on Feb 22, 2012

I did not know this, great.

send a green star

J.L. A.

8:25AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

Extra reasons to eat these fruits!

Debbie C.

3:55AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

I just bought some blueberries today. Maybe they will work better than the Loratabs I take for pain!!

Thanks Michelle for the article!!

Mpa M.

6:20PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

interesting

Thanks

6:19PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

Butterfly K.

3:13AM PST on Feb 7, 2012

My friend gets gout as well & swears by eating cherries, oh & Bi carb soda is good too.

Charlotte F.

3:09AM PST on Feb 7, 2012

My friend has gout and he swears by tart cherry extract (he loves his meat and not health conscious so he is not pushing any holistic healing). He also drinks organic cherry juice.
The extract can be found at most naturalistic health food stores, Sprouts, and some larger chains varying by area.

Anette S.

6:55AM PST on Feb 5, 2012

Thank you