Cherries! Cherries are a great source of Vitamin C, Potassium, and Boron (which plays a role in bone health for women). Cherries also help fight inflammation. According to a study done at the University of Michigan, the anthocyanins that make cherries red could help relieve pain better than Asprin. The study found that anthocyanins were potent antioxidants that could prevent oxidative damage and also inhibited enzymes called cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (cox 1 and 2), which is similar in the way anti-inflammatory drugs seek to reduce pain. The study appeared in the Journal of Natural Products published by the American Chemical Society. Lead researcher Muralee G. Nair, Ph.D., Professor at Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, noted about this cherry effect: It is as good as ibuprofen and some of the nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nair said that his lab results indicate that consuming 20 tart cherries could provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Finding a natural way to reduce pain is important, given the serious side effects from common pain relievers called NSAIDs, examples of which include Advil, Motrin, Aleve and aspirin.