Cherry Juice for Reducing Muscle Pain!

Cherries contain phenolics, naturally occurring compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Phenolics are found in higher concentrations in tart cherries such as Balaton and Montmorency varieties than in sweet cherry varieties such as Bing, Lambert and Rainier. Traditionally, both sweet and tart cherries have been used as a remedy for inflammatory conditions including gout, arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers from the University of Vermont found that tart cherry juice may also prevent symptoms of muscle damage caused by exercise. 14 male college students drank either 12oz of a cherry juice blend, or a placebo, twice a day for eight days. After 4 days, the students’ arm strength was tested. As well, the students rated their muscle pain each day, and were tested for muscle tenderness, range of motion, and strength loss. The students’ pain scores and muscle strength loss were significantly lower for the group that drank the cherry juice. However, muscle tenderness did not differ between the two groups.

The researchers concluded that cherry juice is effective in reducing some of the symptoms of muscle damage caused by exercise.

References:

1. Connolly, D (2006). British Journal of Sports Medicine; "Online First" edition. News release, BMJ Specialist Journals.

2. Wong, Cathy. (2007). What are tart cherries? Available online from http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/tart_cherry.htm [Cited May 28, 2007].