In a study involving 20 marathoners, runners who drank Montmorency cherry juice recovered faster after running a marathon.

The tart cherry juice was consumed twice a day for 5 days prior to the London marathon and for 2 days after.  These runners recovered strength more rapidly and saw a decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress.

Tart cherries have high amounts of anti-oxidants and  appears to increase the rate of recovery after strenuous exercise.  Long distance endurance events can cause muscle damage and inflammation, taking several days to recover.

During this time, the athletes’ muscles may not contract as efficiently as they did prior to the event.  The juice contains phytochemicals known as anthocyanins.  These contain anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

One of the researchers, Dr. Glyn Howatson of Northumbria University, thinks that this could have some impact on those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, and thinks that further studies should be completed.

This study was reported in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports in 2009.

Get moving!

Brian Morgan

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