Juice or extract from tart cherries may be a safer alternative to treatment for chronic inflammation and pain. Inflammation can be a result of exercise, arthritis, injury and autoimmune conditions. Inflamed areas are swollen and painful. Chemicals in tart cherries may offer an alternative to long-term pain management. However, clinical evidence is limited. As of 2011, tart cherries should not be considered a suitable alternative to medicine or medical care.
About Tart Cherry
Tart cherries are also known as sour pie cherries or Montmorency cherries. Anthocyanins are plant pigments that give cherries their deep red color. According to a 2004 study published in "Brain and Behavioral Research," tart cherry anthocyanins act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in animal models.
About Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to disease and injury. Inflamed tissues allow immune cells to enter and repair damage. Tissues also accumulate excess fluid, swell and become hot and painful. However, inflammation is not always useful. Disorders such as arthritis and autoimmune disorders can cause inappropriate inflammation. This can lead to chronic pain and stiffness, inhibiting your enjoyment of life. Many medications, nutrients and dietary supplements claim to help inflammation. If you have an inflammatory disorder, such as arthritis, your doctor will likely prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug that may carry risk of liver or heart problems. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help control inflammation but will not necessarily treat symptoms.
Evidence
A study by Oregon Health and Science University investigated the effects of regular consumption of tart cherry juice on post-exercise muscle inflammation. Runners consumed 10.5 oz. tart cherry juice or placebo twice daily for seven days before running in the 2009 Hood to Coast run, a 197-mile race for relay teams. Runners who consumed tart cherry juice reported less muscle soreness and had fewer signs of inflammation than the placebo group.
The 2004 study in "Brain and Behavioral Research" found that rats that were fed anthocyanins extracted from tart cherries exhibited decreased behavioral responses to inflammation-induced pain. This result was comparable to anti-inflammatory drugs.
Safe Supplementation
Tart cherry is most commonly consumed as a juice or extract standardized for anthocyanin content. Extracts and juices may have varying levels of active ingredients, so a recommended dose has not been established. Though tart cherries are safe as a food, their safety when enriched to medicinal doses has not been rigorously established. Consult your doctor before using tart cherry juice or extract as a substitute for or addition to current inflammation management regimens.
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