Cherry Juice Reduces Muscle Pain
Reported June 22, 2006

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Cherry juice might not be the most common juice selection out there, but new information about the benefits of the juice and exercise suggest maybe it should be.

According to researchers from the University of Vermont in Burlington, Va., cherry juice can reduce muscle pain and damage induced by exercise. The authors say there have been many attempts to solve the dual muscle problem in the past, but few have been effective.

The study was comprised of 14 volunteers. They were asked to drink fresh cherry juice blended with commercial apple juice twice a day for three days before exercise and four days afterward, or to drink a mixture containing no cherry juice.

When the study was complete, there was a significant difference in the degree of muscle strength loss between those drinking the cherry juice blend and those taking the random mixture.

The authors conclude, "These results have important practical applications for athletes, as performance after damaging exercise bouts is primarily affected by strength loss and pain."

SOURCE: British Journal of Sports Medicine, published online June 22, 2006