The effect of tart cherry juice on risk of gout attacks
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of tart cherry juice on the risk of gout attacks: a randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
250387
Contact name
Margo Barker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Gout is a painful and often debilitating condition affecting around 3% of adults in the UK. It is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the body which is deposited and crystalises in joints. This can result in painful gout flares. \n\nCurrent advice to manage gout includes reducing alcohol and meat intake and increasing physical activity, alongside recommendations to take urate-lowering medication. Cherries and cherry products have also received attention for their possible role in gout management owing to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The consumption of cherries is endorsed by several gout information websites as well as the British Society of Rheumatology’s 2017 guidelines for the management of gout. One recent observational study found cherry consumption to be associated with a reduced risk of gout attacks. Supporting RCTs in this field are often short term with small sample numbers. Due to the sporadic nature of gout attacks, a long-term randomised controlled trial is required to clarify the therapeutic effect of cherries on gout. \n\nOur hypothesis is that consuming tart cherry juice daily for 12 months would reduce the risk of gout attacks. We will give participants either 30mL tart cherry juice (equivalent to approximately 90-100 cherries) diluted to 250ml with water, or a placebo cherry-flavoured drink to consume daily. We will recommend that the juice is consumed with breakfast. Participants will be followed up at 6 and 12 months at our laboratory to study changes in gout flare frequency and intensity, uric acid levels and levels of inflammation. This will help determine if taking cherry supplements could help reduce or even prevent gout attacks. As gout is also associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, we will additionally study changes in CVD risk markers, including blood pressure, arterial stiffness and cholesterol levels.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0479
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion