The cherry is a stone fruit closely related to plums. Cherries come in sweet and sour varieties, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that sour cherries have lower calories and higher vitamin C and beta-carotene than sweet cherries. For many years, the sour cherry and its juice have been touted for their health benefits due to their high antioxidant levels. While health claims of sour cherry juice are still being studied, you cannot go wrong with the vitamins, fiber and antioxidants in this tart little fruit.
Pain Relief
Many claims have been made that sour cherry juice concentrate provides effective pain relief. A study conducted by Oregon Health and Science University found that sour cherry juice relieved pain better than a placebo for athletes competing in a 197-mile relay race. Runners drank 10 1/2 ounces of sour cherry juice daily for one week before the race and 10 1/2 ounces every eight hours the day of the race. The study found that these individuals had decreased amounts of inflammation and muscle damage compared to those receiving a placebo. Montmorency cherries, also known as sour pie cherries, were used in the study. These cherries were found to contain the same enzyme that provides pain relief in pain medications.
Cardiovascular Health
Heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol affect millions of Americans each year. Sour or tart cherries may provide a natural method to relieve some symptoms of these cardiovascular diseases. A University of Michigan animal study found that rats predisposed to high cholesterol were able to decrease blood sugar, cholesterol and fat storage in the liver when administered a sour cherry concentrate. The scientists attributed the heart health benefits to anthocyanins, which are antioxidants abundant in tart cherries. The study has not yet been replicated in humans, but investigators believe that the results of the animal study are promising.
Gout
Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in your body, accumulating in the joints. It can be hereditary, or it can be caused by high triglycerides or excessive alcohol intake. Gout may occur in single or multiple joints, and the result is a swollen, painful joint. The antioxidants in tart cherry juice are said to reduce pain and inflammation associated with gout. University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that practitioners may recommend eight to 16 ounces of cherry juice per day. A "Journal of Nutrition" study found that women consuming 227 g of cherry products daily for three months reduced gout symptoms and decreased the number of acute gout attacks.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: A Cherry on Top
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
- Oregon Health and Science University: Tart Cherry Juice Reduces Muscle Pain and Inflammation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fruit of the Month: Cherries
- Journal of Nutrition: Consumption of Cherries Lowers Plasma Urate in Healthy Women
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