Tart Cherry Juice May Relieve Muscle Pains

Muscle pains from too much exercise? Cherry juice might help.

The researchers found that the weakening of the elbow flexion strength in the cherry group was significantly lower than the placebo group. The strength loss after four days, tested on an arm curl bench, was only four per cent for the cherry juice group, but was 22 per cent for the placebo group.

Volunteers who were taking tart cherry juice also reported less muscle pains. The researchers attribute this positive effect of tart cherry juice on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the flavonoids and athocyanins present in tart cherry juice. Tart cherry juice, particularly the one used in this study, is currently being marketed as a power drink for athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Fox News has a video report on CherryPharm, the cherry juice brand used in this study.