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Facts on Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate

Aug 9, 2011 | By Alli Rainey
Facts on Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate
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Professional athletes swigging tart cherry juice during competitive events might soon be a common sight. Tart cherry juice has shown promise in enhancing sports recovery, as well as possibly helping to treat several health conditions. A simple, natural product, tart cherry juice concentrate also provides a convenient way to get at least one serving of health-promoting fruit daily, giving you a strong dose of antioxidants in a relatively low-calorie beverage.

Nutrition Facts

Look for 100 percent natural tart cherry juice concentrate with nothing added for the best nutritional value. A single ounce of tart cherry juice concentrate with no added sugar contains 80 calories, all from carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars, according to LIVESTRONG.COM's MyPlate. It also contains 15 mg of sodium and 200 mg of potassium. Add 7 oz. of cold water to 1 oz. of tart cherry juice concentrate to make a palatable beverage.

Antioxidants

Tart cherries have a high concentration of anthocyanins, a group of powerful antioxidants. According to a study published in the October 2009 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition," tart cherry juice reduces oxidative stress in older adults. Researchers believe the large amount of anthocyanins accounts for this. Daily ingestion of tart cherry juice by older adults could potentially reduce the incidence of diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer, while also improving healing from acute injuries and illness.

Athletic Recovery

Runners who drank tart cherry juice five days prior to, during and for two days after a marathon experienced less muscle inflammation and recovered faster than those who didn't, according to a study in the December 2010 issue of the "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports." Drinking tart cherry juice before and during athletic competition also reduces muscle pain, says a study in the May 2010 "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition."

Medicinal Potential

Tart cherry juice concentrate's painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties might make it effective in treating gout and other forms of arthritis. The University of Maryland Medical Center says 8 to 16 oz. of reconstituted cherry juice daily might help alleviate gout symptoms. A study reported in the June 2010 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" found that tart cherry juice might also be somewhat beneficial for older adults suffering from insomnia.

References

Article reviewed by OmahaTyppo Last updated on: Aug 9, 2011

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