Muscle aches and pain can make your day-to-day life feel a little more uncomfortable and even hinder your personal and professional life. While massages can certainly be effective, there’s a superfruit that can help the body fight soreness and provide relief in a delicious way – tart cherries. Northumbria University researchers found that tart cherry juice can help you bounce back faster after intense workouts, making you feel better and more in tune with your body.
The Pain-Soothing Power of Tart Cherries
Montmorency tart cherry juice was the focus of the Northumbria study, where cyclists participated in an endurance test of high intensity bicycling. The athletes drank about an ounce of the cherry juice mixed with water, twice a day for eight days, with each serving containing juice from about 100 cherries. On the fifth day of the study, the cyclists raced for almost two hours.
The results were clear – compared to cyclists who did not drink the juice, the tart cherry athletes had better muscle function and displayed fewer inflammatory markers in their blood. Their muscles were also more efficient and required less oxygen to keep pedaling at a high level of exertion.
Cyclists Reap the Benefits
Measuring the muscle function of these cyclists was done by analyzing their maximum muscle contraction during an isometric exercise. Their oxygen efficiency was measured through their VO2 max (maximal oxygen consumption). What they discovered was that the VO2 max rate improved by 4% in those who consumed tart cherry juice.
With such impressive results, the researchers’ conclusions were apparent – Montmorency tart cherry juice could be a valuable tool in helping athletes bounce back after an intense workout. But it’s not just cyclists who can benefit from this recovery aid. Previous studies have examined the effects in long-distance runners, with future research planned for football, hockey, and basketball players as well.
Inflammation and Pain Reduction
Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts are familiar with the inflammation that tends to follow a hard workout, making it difficult to recover and get back to their routines. Consuming tart cherries or their juice has been found to offer natural anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to reduce inflammation and alleviate minor discomfort associated with muscle aches and pains.
It’s important to note that Montmorency tart cherries are the key, as they contain higher levels of anthocyanins compared to other cherry varieties. Anthocyanins are natural plant compounds that provide the potent anti-inflammatory properties which make this cherry juice effective in aiding muscle recovery and reducing inflammation.
Boosting Muscle Function and Recovery
Besides reducing inflammation and offering relief from sore muscles, Montmorency tart cherries also have the potential to improve muscle function and bolster recovery time. This is great news for fitness enthusiasts and athletes looking to achieve peak performance without the aches and discomfort that can accompany intense training.
Being able to improve muscle function and recover from demanding workouts more quickly can have a significant impact on an athlete’s ability to perform at their highest level. Incorporating tart cherry juice into their regimen could be a game-changer in terms of training, performance, and overall well-being.
Final Thoughts
Introducing Montmorency tart cherry juice to your routine can be a refreshing, tasty way to keep your body feeling its best while you pursue your fitness goals. With its inflammation-reducing properties and benefits for muscle function, this superfruit juice is a valuable addition to any workout plan. Whether you’re a cyclist, a long-distance runner, or simply someone looking to make their muscles feel better after some strenuous exercise, a daily serving of tart cherry juice might just be the answer you’re looking for.
So, the next time you’re considering a massage or reaching for a pain reliever for your aching muscles, you might want to try Montmorency tart cherry juice as a natural remedy. Combining this flavorful beverage with your favorite form of exercise may be the perfect way to ensure your muscles bounce back, stay refreshed, and are ready for the next challenge.
