Use cherry juice to feel better after exercise

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

The anti-inflammatory effects of cherries have been shown in a study of their juice.
Some people get put off exercise because their muscles feel sore afterwards. There have been many approaches to the problem, but not many have been that effective. In a study from researchers at the University of Vermont, cherry juice looks as if it may work to soothe after exercise pain.

A group of 14 volunteers drank either fresh cherry juice blended with apple juice or a placebo drink. They took this twice a day before exercise and for four days after. The participants did hill walking or weight lifting - guaranteed to challenge the muscles. Muscle tenderness, motion and strength were assessed before and after the exercise. Cherry juice proved to keep muscles strong and decrease after-exercise pain. The finding suggest that cherries have a direct effect upon muscles, which might help motivate people to discount the pain of exercise.

Source
British Journal of Sports Medicine online 20th June 2006

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