Fibromyalgia patients suffer from painful muscles, insomnia and depression. Mayo Clinic reports that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen and naproxen, along with prescription pain killers and antidepressants are some of the treatment options. Cherries, a rich source of flavanoids called anthocyanins, have pain-killing properties and contain melatonin, a known sleep aid. Consult your doctor before adding cherries to your diet.
Pain Relief
A study published in the December 2010 issue of the journal "Integrative Medicine" evaluated the effectiveness of cherry juice for reducing post-exercise muscle pain in fibromyalgia patients. Fourteen women received either tart cherry juice or a placebo for 10 days and were evaluated for pain and muscle weakness after exercise. Results showed a subset of the cherry group enjoyed a significant reduction in overall pain. In a 2001 study of anthocyanins in the journal "Phytomedicine," researchers found cherries to be as effective as ibuprofen and naproxen for pain relief.
Improved Sleep
Tart, or Montmorency, cherries contain high levels of melatonin, exceeding those found in human blood, according to Russell Reiter, Ph.D., of the University of Texas Health Science Center, as cited in the Cherry Nutrition Report. Melatonin is a well-known sleep aid that helps regulate the body's circadian rhythms and could be of value for fibromyalgia patients. The Cherry Nutrition Report references Dr. Reiter and colleagues as stating that it takes just a handful of tart cherries to increase blood levels of melatonin and enhance the body's natural sleep patterns.
Depression and Anxiety
A 2009 study published in "Pharmacological Resources" found anthocyanins inhibit monoamine oxidases, enzymes implicated in depression and anxiety, both often experienced in fibromyalgia. This was a test tube study, and the researchers suggested more work is necessary to establish the bioavailability of anthocyanins in humans. The University of Michigan conducted such a study in 2009. Healthy adults ate a cup and a half of frozen cherries and had elevated levels of anthocyanins in their systems up to 12 hours later.
Tips
While both sweet and tart cherries contain anthocyanins, tart cherries are a better choice for individuals concerned about blood sugar. Tart cherries have a lower glycemic index than sweet cherries. In addition, according to the Cherry Nutrition Report, tart cherries contain more anthocyanins than do sweet cherries and are one of the only known food sources of melatonin. Tart cherries are available frozen, dried and as juice.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Fibromyalgia: Treatment and Drugs; 2011
- Cherry Marketing Institute: The Cherry Nutrition Report
- "Integrative Medicine"; Using an Eccentric Exercise-Testing Protocol to Assess the Beneficial Effects...; K. Dulacki, et al.; December 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Cyanidin Glycosides in Cherries and Berries; N.P. Seerum, et al.; September 2001
- "Pharmacological Research"; Berry Anthocyanins and Their Aglycons Inhibit Monoamine Oxidases A and B; A. Dreiseitel, et al.; May 2009
- "Medical News Today"; Antioxidant Benefits of Tart Cherries Reinforced By New Human Study; April 2009
