The British Journal of Sports Medicine published a recent study showing the effects of tart cherry juice blend in
preventing the symptoms of muscle damage. It is believed that tart cherries have active anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. These characteristics have been shown in previous studies to be able to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory conditions.
The study was conducted in a randomized placebo controlled manner. Subjects performed eccentric elbow flexion contractions for this experiment. Measurements of elbow flexation, strength, pain levels, muscle tenderness, and relaxed elbow angle were recorded prior to and after exercise. For a period of eight days, subjects were split into two groups and either consumed the cherry juice blend or a placebo, twice daily. Exercises were only performed on the fourth day. Two weeks later the procedure was repeated, but this time with opposite arms and opposite juice blends for each group.
The results were quite impressive, with the placebo group experiencing a strength loss of 22%
but only 4% in the cherry juice group. Data in the published study showed decreased symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, but relaxed elbow angle and muscle tenderness remained unchanged between trials.
For the abstract, go here:
http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abst....2005.025429v1
Unfortunately, the full text version with the complete text and data is only available with a paid membership. However, all full text versions are available for free after 12 months.
The Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice Blend
