Staying well hydrated certainly helps keep the uric acid in solution.  Granted, once the uric acid starts crystallizing out, you can deal with an acute attack by taking an anti-inflammatory agent, either an NSAID or a steroid.  But wouldn't it be better to have a more natural option?  In another analysis of this same group of individuals published last month (last week actually) in Arthritis & Rheumatism , the authors also noted that consumption of cherries over 2 days was associated with lower risk of an attack of gout.