There are many things to love about summer: warmer weather, longer days, and the arrival of cherries to local farmer’s markets and supermarkets. They are juicy, scrumptious, and happen to boast myriad health benefits. In fact, researchers say that people who eat cherries experience reduced cholesterol & blood pressure levels, improved sleep, decreased oxidative stress, and less inflammation. Keep reading to find out more about this sweet and tart summertime fruit.

What Are Cherries?

Obviously, a cherry is a fruit and there are two primary types: the sweet or wild cherry, and the sour cherry. Cherries are native to the Northern Hemisphere, and they are difficult to maintain, which explains their higher price tag per pound. They have a very short season, as they are only available from late-June to late-August. One cup of cherries meets 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, and it only amounts to 100 calories. Get your hands on them while they’re in season!

Health Benefits Of Cherries

They May Treat Gout

Commonly affecting the big toe, gout is an arthritic condition that results from uric acid accumulation in the body. When too much uric acid is in the body, uric acid crystals form in the joints and cause uncomfortable pain and limited mobility. According to a study that was published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, people with gout benefitted from consuming cherry extract. Of the 633 patients with gout, 35% experienced decreased gout attacks after taking cherry extract.

They May Improve Your Sleep

Several studies found that cherries, especially sweet cherries, are naturally rich in melatonin. Melatonin is necessary to experience restful sleep because it works to control your circadian rhythm and regulate sleep patterns. Consume a handful of cherries an hour or two before bed to improve sleep. You may also find that more melatonin in the body gets rid of irritability and headaches.

They Are Rich In Antioxidants

Antioxidants have many important roles in the body. The anthocyanins and cynanidan in cherries exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, one study that was published in the Journal of Natural Products found that these antioxidants decreased inflammation better than aspirin. The anthocyanins from sour cherries help reduce inflammation, and preliminary studies show that they may inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cell lines. Finally, adding antioxidant-rich foods like cherries to your diet can decrease your risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other conditions caused by oxidative stress.

They May Relieve Osteoarthritis

Cartilage in the joint acts as a cushion, preventing the bones from rubbing together. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage between the bones and joint wears down, eliminating that cushion between the bones. About 33 million American adults suffer from osteoarthritis, and they may benefit from consuming cherries. The Osteoarthritis Research Center examined 58 non-diabetic patients, who drank two eight-ounce servings of fresh sour cherry juice daily over a six-week period. The results indicated a decrease in WOMAC scores, and patients reported relief from osteoarthritis symptoms.

They Are Packed With Phytochemicals

Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring phytochemical that is present in sweet cherries. Several studies found that ellagic exhibits anti-cancer and antioxidant activity. Other studies found that the anti-cancer properties proved effective at inhibiting the growth of skin, colon, prostate, pancreas, and breast cancer cells. Ellagic acid binds to cancer-causing molecules and makes them inactive. If that’s not a reason to enjoy cherries, we don’t know what is!

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Elderberry is one of the most common natural remedies for the common cold or flu. People consume elderberry in the form of tinctures, extracts, teas, syrups, or supplements. Elderberry wasn’t always used to boost the immune system, though. Native Americans used elderberry to treat infections and Ancient Egyptians used it to remedy burns and improve complexion. To this day, Europeans gather elderberry to use it in traditional folk medicine.

What Is Elderberry?

The European elder (Sambucus nigra) is the most commonly used species, especially for tinctures or supplements. This species of elderberry is native to Europe, but it grows in many parts of the world. The plant has cream-colored flowers and produces small black/blue berry bunches. In order to consume the berries, they must be cooked, but the flowers can be eaten in their raw form. Historically, various cultures used the flowers for pain relief and inflammation, while the bark was used as a diuretic. The dried or cooked berries proved to be effective at treating influenza, swelling, headaches, and nerve pain.

Elderberry’s Health Benefits

Scientists attribute elderberry’s health benefits to anthocyanin, which is a potent antioxidant that helps to reduce oxidative stress in the body. Additionally anthocyanin has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent common infections and pain. Read about elderberry’s top five benefits below.

May Benefit Heart Health

Preliminary studies found that elderberry extract may help reduce bad cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. Due to the high antioxidant content of elderberry, scientists believe that it can reduce the risk of heart disease when combined with a balanced diet. One study with 34 people, who took 400 milligrams of elderberry extract three times daily for two weeks, found no reduction in blood cholesterol levels. Another study in mice, however, found that including elderberry extract in their diets reduced cholesterol in the liver and aorta, but not the blood.

Reduces Uric Acid In The Blood

High uric acid levels are commonly associated with gout and joint inflammation. When uric acid crystals form in the joints, it can be quite painful and cause joints to become stiff. Additionally, high uric acid levels can increase blood pressure and negatively affect heart health. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties, elderberry extract may reduce levels of uric acid in the blood.

Provides Pain Relief

As mentioned earlier in this article, anthocyanin reduces inflammation in the body. The anthocyanin in elderberry helps to inhibit nitric oxide production in the body’s immune cells. Nitric oxide is a molecule that signals inflammation response for injuries or diseases. The anthocyanin tempers this response to alleviate swelling or pain. Since there have only been a few studies examining these benefits, more studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these initial findings.

Relieves Constipation

To encourage a bowel movement using elderberry, it is best to drink tea made from dried elderberries. Consuming this tea has been proven to have a laxative effect, which is attributed to anthraquinone, an organic compound that inhibits the absorption of water in the intestines. As a result, intestinal pressure increases and stimulates peristalsis to encourage bowel movements. It is safe to use elderberry tea as a laxative for up to five days.

Say Goodbye To Colds & Flus

The ability to reduce the severity of cold and flu infections is what elderberry is known for. According to various studies, elderberry syrup helps to reduce the duration and severity of infection if taken within the first 48 hours of the exhibiting the first symptoms. A 2019 study found that elderberry substantially improved upper airway symptoms for people with common colds. Another study monitored 60 people with influenza. They all took 15 milliliters of elderberry syrup four times daily and showed improvement within two to four days. The other group who took a placebo took seven or eight days for symptoms to improve.

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Who doesn’t love a tasty green juice? Green juices are filled with essential vitamins and minerals that the body can easily process because they are pre-digested, meaning the body doesn’t have to break down the food. The beautiful thing about National Green Juice Day is that you don’t have to be a hardcore green juice lover to enjoy a healthy, green elixir. Each green juice has a different flavor profile, some being sweeter and some just tasting like liquid salad.

If you commit to drinking one green juice or green smoothie per day, you are taking a step in a healthier direction. People who decide to reform their diets as New Year’s resolutions often go a little too hard and burn out by the end of January. It is better to start simple and make healthier changes day by day, which is why we are encouraging you to prepare one green juice or smoothie every day. This isn’t too much to ask, especially if you have recently considered abandoning your New Year’s diet.

When it comes to buying green juices, though, it is important to do a little research. Any juice company can produce a green juice, but the quality and ingredients is where some companies set themselves above the rest. For instance, Naked Juice adds an incredible amount of sugar to their juices and they are typically pasteurized, meaning you aren’t getting all the healthy benefits you think you are. This is why we always encourage you to make fresh juices.

Some juice bars will make fresh juices and then bottle them, meaning they have a very limited shelf life. Additionally, those juice places typically use reusable, glass juice bottles to limit environmental waste. Even though these places sell raw juices, we like making green juices at home, so that we know exactly what goes into them.

How will you celebrate National Green Juice Day? If you have a juicer, try making one of the following recipes and let us know what you think.

Ginger Cucumber Detox Juice With A Kick

If you are detoxing your body then this is the juice for you. It is rich in vitamin C, promotes healthy digestion, and relieves bloating.

Click here to make the recipe.

Kidney Cleansing Juice

As primary detox organs, they kidneys work hard to maintain healthy, clean blood. Give them a helping hand and cleanse them with this juice.

Click here to make the recipe.

Migraine Reliever Juice

Sip away your migraine by drinking this cooling cucumber juice that is rich in folate, fiber, vitamin C, and a whole lot of magnesium.

Click here to make the recipe.

Drink This Juice To Help Relieve Stress

Too many stress hormones in the body can lead to anxiety, depression, and even poor gut health. Help reduce stress by drinking this juice.

Click here to make the recipe.

Help Remove Uric Acid With This Cooling Juice

With powerful alkalizing properties, this juice is exactly what you need to help remove excess uric acid from your joints.

Click here to make the recipe.

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This juice helps to naturally cool you down, and it also has powerful alkalizing properties, which work to remove uric acid crystallization in joints. You may notice a little pain when you drink this juice because the ingredients are working to remove those toxins. If the pain is too intense or you have a severe reaction, stop drinking it immediately.

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Gout, which is a type of arthritis, affects about 8.3 million people in the United States. It is an inflammatory joint condition that can be controlled via dietary and lifestyle changes. The problem is that most people do not know what lifestyle changes they should make or what foods they should consume and avoid to improve their condition. In order to naturally improve gout, we are going to review the best diet for people with gout.

What Is Gout?

Involving sudden pain, swelling, and the inflammation of joints, gout is a form of arthritis that typically affects big toes (about 50% of gout cases start here), fingers, wrists, knees, and heels. Gout symptoms take place when there is too much uric acid, which is a waste product that the body makes after digesting certain foods, in the blood. Too much uric acid can lead to uric acid crystal formation in the joints, triggering pain, inflammation, and swelling.

Most people cannot eliminate uric acid efficiently because they eat foods that lead to uric acid accumulation in the blood. If you have gout, you may have noticed that you experience pain after eating certain foods, shellfish being one of the most common food groups that causes irritation. Most of these foods are rich in purines, which the body digests and makes uric acid as a waste product. For help concentrating on which foods to eat and which foods to avoid, follow the guidelines below.

Foods You Should Avoid

If you find that you are more prone to gout attacks, you should try to avoid high-purine foods. These foods contain about 200mg or more of purines per 3.5 ounces. You should also steer clear of foods that are high in fructose because they contain about 150-200mg of purines per 3.5 ounces. High-purine foods to avoid include:

• Sugary beverages (sodas, bottled fruit juices, alcohol, or energy drinks)
• Seafood (scallops, shrimp, roe, and crab)
• Fish (anchovies, sardines, mackerel, tuna, trout, and herring)
• Added sugars (high-fructose corn syrup or honey)
• Game meats (pheasant, venison, and veal)
• Yeasts (brewer’s yeast, nutritional yeast, and other yeast supplements)
• Organ meats (liver, sweetbreads, brains, and kidneys)
• Refined Carbs (white bread, cookies, and cakes)

Foods You Should Eat

While it may seem like you can’t eat anything, there are a lot of low-purine foods that are beneficial for those with gout. These foods have less than 100mg of purines per 3.5 ounces. Focus on the foods in this list to help naturally lower uric acid levels and improve your gout.

• Fruits (you can essentially eat every kind fruit)
• Vegetables (the more vegetables the better; try to limit your consumption of regular white potatoes)
• Nuts (all nuts and seeds are acceptable, especially if they are raw)
• Herbs & Spices (all herbs and spices are acceptable, but try to consume sea salt as opposed to regular table salt)
• Plant-based oils (coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil)
• Whole grains (oats, brown rice, and barley)
• Beverages (herbal teas and limit consumption of coffee)

Employ these eating rules and you can help naturally lower uric acid levels. In addition to following the detailed guidelines, it is recommended to regularly exercise (at least 30 minutes a day), stay sufficiently hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol consumption. All of these things assist with lowering uric acid levels. Let us know if these tips help you in your quest to improving your gout.

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Uric acid is natural waste that the body produces after digesting foods that contain purines. Some of these foods include sodas, seafood, certain meats, beer, and beans, but the body also produces and breaks down purines on its own. The body has the natural ability to filter out uric acid via the kidneys and urine; however, continuously consuming foods that are high in purines can cause uric acid to build up in the bloodstream.

As purines reach a point of decomposition, the body creates too much uric acid. The build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream is commonly associated with development of gout, kidney disease, skin problems, or metabolic acidosis. People with gout are encouraged to follow a strict diet and avoid high-purine foods. Using the following foods to your advantage, you can help naturally lower dangerous levels of uric acid.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Some people may contest that apple cider vinegar is not conducive for those who are trying to lower uric acid levels. While it may be acidic outside the body, apple cider vinegar has an alkalizing effect inside the body. Add two teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar to eight ounces of filtered water and consume this twice a day to help reduce uric acid levels.

Cherries

Known for their anti-inflammatory properties, cherries also contain anthocyanins, which are flavonoids that have antioxidant effects. Anthocyanins work to reduce overall uric acid levels and they help prevent uric acid from crystalizing and depositing in joints. Cherries may also reduce overall inflammation.

Fiber-Rich Foods

Great foods that contain fiber include apples, blueberries, broccoli, pears, cucumbers, carrots, steel cut oats, strawberries, and celery. Adding high-fiber foods to your diet helps to lower uric acid levels because they absorb uric acid in the bloodstream and work to eliminate excess uric acid via the kidneys.

Vitamin C Foods

Vitamin C is a natural cleanser, helping to flush toxins from the body. Including vitamin C-rich foods in your diet can help disintegrate uric acid bloodstream and flush it from the body. Start including kiwis, guavas, green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruit in your diet. Similar to apple cider vinegar, citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges have an alkalizing effect inside the body. The reason for this is because they are low in sugar, meaning they are alkaline.

Green Tea

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that can help decrease uric acid levels in the body. People with hyperuricemia who consume green tea have been known to decrease their risk of developing gout. One cup of green tea a day is sufficient.

In addition to adding this list of foods to your diet, it can be beneficial to avoid consuming sugary beverages. Fructose in juices or sodas is absorbed quickly, spiking your blood sugar levels and leading to higher amounts of uric acid in the body. Replace those sugary beverages with freshly made juices or smoothies. And don’t forget to drink lots of water!

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Lemongrass isn’t something that most people regularly use, but it has an array of beneficial health properties. In fact, some cultures have been using lemongrass to help relieve fevers, body aches, infections, insomnia, edema, and respiratory conditions for a long time. It has also been an effective herbal remedy for people with type 2 diabetes and cancer, due to its detoxifying properties.

While lemongrass is most commonly used in Asian cuisine, it is also used for its therapeutic aroma. The citrusy aroma can be beneficial for those with respiratory conditions. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties can enter the respiratory system via inhalation to aid the cleansing process.

Stomach Disorders

E. coli and H. pylori are the two leading causes of infections in the stomach region. The antibacterial properties of lemongrass are helpful in inhibiting those harmful bacteria. Consuming lemongrass can also help soothe stomachaches, diarrhea, nausea, and gastric ulcers.

Nervous System

Lemongrass has been proven to be a tonic for the nervous system. Helping to stimulate the mind, lemongrass can be beneficial for those with vertigo, nervousness, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. You can add lemongrass essential oil to a warm bath to create a nerve-calming environment.

Immune Booster

Not only does lemongrass benefit the nervous system, but it also can help the body absorb nutrients better and strengthen the body’s immune defense mechanism. Recent studies have shown that lemongrass has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties that work to encourage immune responses throughout the body.

Lowers Cholesterol

One of the best benefits of lemongrass is its ability to support healthy cholesterol levels. It is loaded with anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hypercholesterolmic properties that can keep your cholesterol in check. It also helps to naturally lower triglycerides and inhibits lipid accumulation in blood vessels, which helps to promote healthy circulation.

Sleep Aid

If you have insomnia, lemongrass needs to make its way into your life. Lemongrass has natural calming effects on muscles and nerves, and that can induce better sleep. Lemongrass tea contains slightly sedative properties, which can improve sleep quality and duration.

Fevers Be Gone

Sometimes referred to as “fever grass,” lemongrass has been used to naturally lower fevers. Lemongrass is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine to induce sweating, which helps to lower body temperature.

Detoxification

If you need help flushing toxic waste out of your system, lemongrass has diuretic properties that can regulate various organs in the body. It also helps to lower uric acid levels! The diuretic properties increase urination, maintain healthy digestion, and help eliminate accrued fat in the body.

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Uric acid crystallization in the joints can cause pain and can be an unpleasant site. If you don’t do anything about these crystals, pain can be persistent and lead to gout or continual joint pain. One thing you don’t want to do is allow uric acid crystals to remain in your body.

Why Do Uric Acid Crystals Form?

The primary cause of the formation of these crystals is the body’s inability to eliminate waste efficiently. The other reason is due to an overproduction of uric acid, which is formed during the breakdown of purines. Purine is found in many foods and can also occur naturally in the body.

How To Get Rid Of Uric Acid

When the kidneys can’t eliminate uric acid from the body, uric acid crystals begin to form. A great way to start naturally eliminating these crystals is to make a few dietary and lifestyle changes. Make sure to eat the rainbow, meaning you should eat lots of fresh colorful fruits and vegetables. Try to steer clear of salty foods, processed foods, dairy products, refined sugars, lots of grains, and meat or meat products.

Always Hydrate

Drinking water is one of the best ways to promote healthy circulation. If you drink alkaline water, which helps create a neutral pH balance in the body, you can help get rid of the excess uric acid that can build up in your joints. You can also eat beets, cucumber, leafy greens, carrots, red cabbage, onion, apple cider vinegar, grapes, bananas, and berries to increase alkalinity.

Epsom Salt Baths

If your joints are in severe pain, an Epsom salt bath can help decrease inflammation. You can take three of these baths a week. Additionally, you can apply ice packs to the affected area to help decrease the pain.

Super Tonics To Fight Uric Acid

• Make sure you drink lemon water whenever you can because it prevents uric acid formation. You should squeeze half a lemon in 8oz of water and consume this every morning on an empty stomach.
• Drinking apple cider vinegar in water can help increase your alkalinity. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 8oz of water. Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, which breaks down uric acid crystals and flushes them from the body. You can consume this drink twice a day.
• If you have a juicer, put a two-inch piece of ginger, one cucumber, one cup of chopped pineapple, and one peeled grapefruit in a juicer. Consume this juice once a day to naturally get rid of uric acid and reduce joint pain.

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Gout is a type of arthritis that can effect any joint, although it most frequently presents in the big toe. It can affect any one at any time if the conditions are right.

Causes and Risk Factors

When there is too much uric acid in the bloodstream, tissues, and urine, gout is the result. And because the body is impaired due to the acid state, the digestive enzyme ‘uricase’ is not produced or enough of it is not produced to counter the uric acid.

Uricase oxidizes relatively insoluble uric acid into a highly soluble compound. When enough uricase is not produced and/or secreted, Uric acid accumulates in the in the blood and tissues of the body and over time, crystallizes.

Now it is this crystallization of uric acid that causes much pain for sufferers of gout. When uric acid crystallizes it takes on the shape like that of a needle, and just like a needle, it sticks and jabs its way into the joints and eventually makes it way to the big toe where the pain can be unbearable.

Infected body parts of gout become seriously inflamed and very sensitive to the touch.

Symptoms

Symptoms commonly associated with gout are:

• Intense joint pain, especially in the big toe (although gout can happen at any joint in the body)
• Continuous feeling of discomfort (even after the pain diminishes)
• Inflammation at the joint
• Redness at the joint

Natural Healing

From performing the Full Body Cleanse , eating all raw foods, practicing positive thinking and positive mental attitude, giving up eating junk food, wisely stop smoking cigarettes, and giving up on futile stress and worries changed my friend’s life and his appearance shocked everyone.

Give up worrying and stressing; especially over things you have no control over. Focus on the things in life you have control over and make choices that benefit you. Think positive and develop a positive mental outlook on YOUR life. Not the world, but YOUR world for it is the only world that you have complete domination and control over. Live daily with a positive attitude knowing that everything that happens to you in your life happens for your greater good even if you can’t see this immediately. Just stay positive and expecting the best outcome and like magic, you will receive what you desire via expectation.

Therefore, herbs are pivotal in healing from gout (arthritis of the foot). Good healing herbs for gout includes:

• Devil’s Claw
• Uva Ursi
• Buchu
• Cornsilk
• Juniper Berries
• Mullein leaf
• Sassafras
• Comfrey Root
• Burdock Root
• Dandelion Root
• Cerasee
• Parsley Leaf
• Nettle
• Gravel Root, and
• Saffron (a/k/a/ Safflower)

These herbs can be taken in capsule form, tea form, or liquid extract form.

Ionic foot baths (detox) are very helpful. Perform them as much as possible as this process will quickly draw out toxins and impurities from the foot.

Colonics are also ideal for healing of gout. Home enemas may also be performed as well.

Dietary Intervention

Diet is the most critical thing you can do in a case of gout.

Immediately stop eating all meat, dairy, refined grains and starches. Basically, stop eating processed foods, junk foods, and fast foods.

Consume only raw foods, especially green foods-vegetables, which include vegetable juice that can help to neutralize uric acid and dissolve kidney stones. Eat fruits in the morning and consume vegetables from noon thereafter (though you can still eat fruit after noon).

After your cleanse and healing, do not go back to a animal-based diet. Consider going raw foods and vegan, perhaps 50/50. This is better for you and constitutes great prevention.

By all means avoid white table salt (sodium chloride, Morton’s table salt), a drug, as sodium causes fluid retention. Use herbal seasoning or sea salt only.

Drink plenty of water, preferably alkaline or distilled water. Alkaline water by far is the best water to drink because alkaline water counters high acid pH levels in the body and causes the tissues to dump off loads of toxins. Drink half your body weight in water (change the pounds into ounces, so if half your body weight is 125 pounds, drink 125 ounces in water, nearly one gallon of water). Water will help to flush your body, especially your kidneys, of uric acid.

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