A new study published in the Official Journal of the American College of Rheumatology showed Cheribundi tart cherry juice can be effective in relieving the pain caused by arthritis of the knee.
Malachy McHugh, director of research at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma at Lenox Hill Hospital, and Dr. H. Ralph Schumacher of the VA Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania, announced the findings of the study that observed symptoms of arthritis patients over a six-week period.
The double blind study observed patients who had arthritic knees. Researchers gave the subjects Cheribundi tart cherry juice and a placebo for individual six-week periods.
The results revealed that individuals who drank eight ounces of the tart cherry juice every day showed improved Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores and decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.
The WOMAC scores is questionnaires used by health experts to analyze the condition of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. The scores asses all of the assesses joint stiffness and physical, emotional and social functions of a person with osteoarthritis.
According to Arthritis.org, arthritis is the second leading cause of work disability, only behind heart disease. Disability and life insurance can serve as an essential back-up plan for patients with arthritis who may be subjected to work disability in the future.