What Are The Benefits Of Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate?

Tart cherries contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidant compounds that give the cherries their deep red color and can relieve inflammation. These bioactive phytochemicals can reduce muscle pain, lower uric acid in the blood, help prevent colon cancer, regulate sleep and benefit people with fibromyalgia. As little as two teaspoons of tart cherry juice concentrate or two servings of fresh or dried cherries can give you positive results.

Reduce Muscle Pain

A study by the Oregon Health & Science University found that "healthy adults aged 18-50 years, those who drank 10.5 ounces cherry juice twice a day for seven days prior to and on the day of a long-distance relay had significantly less muscle pain following the race than those who drank another fruit juice beverage. On a scale from 0 to 10, the runners who drank cherry juice as their "sports drink" had a 2 point lower self-reported pain level at the completion of the race, a clinically significant difference." Researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory anthocyanins work like traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve muscle pain.

Lower Uric Acid

Taking two tablespoons of tart cherry juice concentrate daily can lower uric acid levels and prevent attacks of gout. Naomi Schlesinger, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of the New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, found that patients taking cherry juice concentrate suffered 50 percent fewer gout attacks than those who did not.

Prevent the Spread of Colon Cancer

Studies at Michigan State University's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition found that the anthocyanins in tart cherries "inhibit tumor development" and "reduce proliferation of human colon cancer cells."

Regulate Sleep

Melatonin, a chemical that helps to regulate your sleep cycle, is highly concentrated in tart cherries. Russell J. Reiter, professor of neuroendocrinology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, conducted a five month study that concluded "tart cherries contain significant amounts of melatonin --- a hormone produced in the brain's pineal gland that has been credited with slowing the aging process and fighting insomnia and jet lag...The findings mark the first time melatonin has been pegged as a naturally occurring substance in food, although trace amounts are evident in bananas, corn and other foods."

Relieve the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a type of painful chronic muscle irritation, with no known cause and no cure. Typically people suffering from fibromyalgia have difficulty sleeping, which does not allow their muscles to fully relax. The anthocyanins in tart cherry juice concentrate can help to reduce the muscle pain and inflammation while simultaneously, the melatonin can help to regulate sleep.