Cherries have long been used as a folk remedy for gout and arthritis pain, but few controlled studies have assessed their putative benefits. In a small study, 10 women ate two servings of Bing cherries after an overnight fast. Researchers collected blood and urine samples before and after the cherries were eaten and measured urate, antioxidant levels, and inflammatory markers. Plasma levels of urate fell significantly over a 5-hour period following consumption of the cherries, confirming their anti-gout properties. There was a trend toward decreased levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and nitric oxide, which suggests that cherries also have anti-inflammatory properties.