Soothes Tender Joints 70 million adults complain of tenderness in some joints. Cherries contain flavonoids (anthocyanidin and proanthocyanidin) that may support the body’s normal excretion of the waste product uric acid. Left unchecked, uric acid can form crystals that deposit in joints, causing tenderness and discomfort. Anthocyanidins support joint health by inhibiting enzymes, histamines and free radicals that can break down connective tissue, as well as promoting the repair of damaged proteins in blood-vessel walls. Each tablet contains a 10:1 extract of cherry fruit, yielding 25 mg of flavonoids. Research shows 25 mg of flavonoids provides antioxidant protection. Cherries are in the 10 highest-ranking ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values of fruits. In a 1999 study, researchers reported that consuming 20 cherries a day provides 12-25 mg of the active flavonoid compounds, anthocyanins, which can help protect against free radical damage The flavonoids anthocyanidin and proanthocyanidin impart bright colors to flowers and fruits.