Muscle inflammation
High-intensity or prolonged physical activity of any kind typically causes muscle damage, resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and pain
As people age, muscle mass and strength tend to decrease, in a process called sarcopenia Although exercise can help overcome this process, post-exercise pain and loss of strength tend to last much longer.
The observed anti-inflammatory benefits of tart cherries prompted researchers to investigate whether they could be used to protect muscles, lower pain, and accelerate muscle repair.
The most recent trial on muscle injury and recovery included ten males, half of whom drank one ounce of a tart cherry beverage twice daily for ten days, while the other half drank the same amount of a placebo beverage during this period. All subjects completed two sets of an intensive, unilateral leg exercise—first, one set with one leg before the ten-day beverage consumption period, and then another set with the other leg after the beverage period.
Faster recovery of the knee extension (maximum voluntary contraction force) was observed with the tart cherry juice protocol versus control. The researchers concluded that the improved muscle recovery time may have been due to attenuation of oxidative damage
The study author suggested that tart cherry components produce a significant myoprotective—or muscle-protecting—benefit.Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation reports that the risk of developing osteoarthritis is greater among those of increased age, those who are athletic or regularly engage in repetitive-motion work, and those who are obese.
Osteoarthritis has a strong inflammatory component. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used osteoarthritis pain medication. However, this pain-reliever does not help lower inflammation, and its side effects can include kidney or liver damage.
In a 2007 pilot study, researchers at Baylor Research Institute gave tart cherries in pill form to patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. They documented that, after 8 weeks, more than half the subjects experienced a significant improvement in pain and function.Gout
Gout is another type of inflammatory arthritis, and it is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality.High blood concentration of uric acid is considered its main pathway.
Typically, drugs such as allopurinol and probenecid are used to help lower uric acid levels. But the side effects of these drugs can include difficulty breathing, unusual bleeding, vomiting, nausea, or severe skin rash. They may even interfere with other medications.
Fortunately, research has spotlighted a safe alternative. For decades, gout sufferers have consumed tart cherry juice for symptomatic relief, on the basis of anecdotal evidence. Now, rigid science has begun to support this tradition.
A study conducted by scientists at Boston University found that intake of cherry extract reduced the risk of gout attacks in those who suffered recurrent gout attacks by 45%. Additionally, the researchers discovered that when cherry intake was combined with allopurinol use, the risk for gout attacks was reduced by 75% versus no intervention. What’s more, these results persisted even across subgroups stratified for sex, obesity status
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