I was happy to see that cherry juice is getting praise for its natural anti-inflammation power. A new study from Oregon Health & Science University shows that individuals who consumed tart cherry juice while training for a long-distance run said they had much less pain after exercise than those who didn’t drink the juice. The research was presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Seattle.

The study included 60 adults ages 18-50. Some of the runners drank 10.5 ounces of CHERRish 100% Montmorency cherry juice twice a day for seven days before and on the day of a long-distance run. On a scale from 0 to 10, the runners who had cherry juice reported a 2 point lower pain level at the completion of the race. That’s considered a clinically significant difference.

These results may mean that cherry juice could be a natural replacement for NSAIDS for some people suffering from muscle pain. Of course, you’d need to discuss any such switch with your doc first.

(Image via stock.xchng)

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Results showed that the cherry-enriched diets significantly lowered total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, insulin and fasting glucose levels after 90 days. All of these measures are factors that are linked to metabolic syndrome. The study also showed the cherry-fed groups had lower levels of a plasma marker of oxidative damage and increased blood antioxidant capacity – not surprising since cherries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants.

Additionally, the cherry-enriched diets reduced “fatty liver” or the accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver.

These health benefits may likely be due to the anthocyanins responsible for cherries’ deep rich red color, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

See also: Tart Cherry Juice May Relieve Muscle Pains

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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.

Post from: Blisstree

Tart Cherry Juice May Relieve Muscle Pains