Cherry juice is being tested as a new treatment for osteoarthritis. It follows earlier research suggesting that compounds in cherries – particularly tart ones – may reduce inflammation and pain in a similar way to aspirin.

Previous research at Michigan State University found that compounds called anthocyanins, which give tart cherries – sometimes called sour red cherries – their colour, may have anti-inflammatory properties and contain protective antioxidants.

In a new trial, due to start in May at the Philadelphia Medical Centre in the U.S., men and women with osteoarthritis will be given a tart cherry juice drink for six weeks to see if it has an effect on their use of painkillers, and whether it improves their ability to walk.

More than seven million people in Britain have long-term health problems linked to arthritis. The Arthritis Research Campaign estimates that more than 550,000 men and women have evidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knees.

Now a daily dose of vitamin D is being used to protect knees affected by osteoarthritis. Doctors involved in a clinical trial believe the vitamin may prevent or slow the breakdown of cartilage, the protective inner lining of joints that becomes damaged by the disease, resulting in pain and inflammation.

Previous research has shown people with severe arthritis of the knee have lower levels of vitamin D. The 140 patients involved in the new trial, aged 49 and over, will be given either 50mg of vitamin D a day or a placebo over two years. During and after the trial, cartilage loss will be measured, as well as levels of pain and movement. ‘There is evidence that vitamin D supplementation, a simple and cheap intervention, may prove useful in slowing the progression of osteoarthritis,’ say researchers leading the trial at the New England Medical Centre, in the U.S. You can take vitamin D in liquid form which is easier than taking a capsule or tablet. Call 0845 8800915 for more information.