Pain is a common ailment in the United States, affecting more people than those with diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease combined, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Researchers have been investigating tart cherries for pain relief, but more research is needed to confirm their findings. If you decide to take tart cherries in supplement form, speak to your doctor first.
Overview of Tart Cherries
Michigan state is the largest producer of tart, or Montmorency, cherries. These fruits have a higher concentration of antioxidants compared to other fruits, including sweet, or Bing, cherries. Among the antioxidants they contain are anthocyanins, which give the cherries their color and are potent anti-inflammatory compounds.
Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness and structural damage. In a 2007 pilot study conducted at the Baylor Research Institute, researchers investigated the effects of taking a supplement to containing Montmorency tart cherries on knee osteoarthritis. The patients who took the gelatine capsules for eight weeks experienced significant improvements in pain and function.
Inflammation
Receptors involved in sending pain signals to the brain also trigger inflammatory reactions in the body. High-intensity activity such as marathon running can cause pain and inflammation. It also causes oxidative stress by increasing the levels of free radicals, which are molecules that cause damage to cells in the body. For a 2009 study, researchers at Northumbria University in the U.K. found that when 20 marathon runners drank a tart cherry blend juice for five days before and two days after a marathon, they had less inflammation and less oxidative stress. The cherry-drinking group also had quicker muscle recovery.
Muscle Pain
Another 2010 study on runners conducted by researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University also found tart cherries beneficial for muscle pain and recovery. In the study, athletes who drank Montmorency cherry juice for one week before the race and on race day had significantly less pain than runners who took a placebo.
Considerations
The Northumbria University researchers suggest that the effects of tart cherries on inflammation and oxidative damage might make them useful in treating painful inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. If you have any of these conditions, try adding these fruits to your diet to see if they alleviate any of your pain. However, consult your doctor before taking tart cherries in capsule form.
References
- American Academy of Pain Medicine: AAPM Facts and Figures on Pain
- University of Michigan Health Systems: Tart Cherries May Reduce Factors Associated with Heart Disease and Diabetes; April 07, 2008
- Baylor Health Care Systems: Can Cherries Relieve the Pain of Osteoarthritis?
- "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine in Science and Sports"; Influence of Tart Cherry Juice on Indices of Recovery Following Marathon Running; G. Howatson et al.; 2009
- Oregon Health and Science University: Tart Cherry Juice Reduces Muscle Pain and Inflammation
- Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research: The Mechanisms of Pain and Inflammation
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