Research presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (abstracts 851 and 852) explored whether tart cherry juice could influence exercise-related pain. In one study, healthy runners between the ages of 18 and 50 were randomly assigned to consume either tart cherry juice or a placebo for one week prior to a race. Participants who consumed the tart cherry juice reported significantly less post-exercise pain than those in the placebo group.
A separate study examined the effects of tart cherry juice in women with fibromyalgia. Fourteen participants consumed either tart cherry juice or a placebo for 10 days. After an exercise challenge, the group receiving tart cherry juice reported reduced muscle pain and demonstrated greater muscle strength compared with the placebo group.
These findings are consistent with earlier laboratory research identifying bioactive compounds in tart cherries. An article published in the Journal of Natural Products (1999; 62(2):294–296) reported that anthocyanins and cyanidin—naturally occurring pigments found in tart cherries—exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Similarly, a review in the Clinical Journal of Pain (January/February 2004; 20(1):19–26) noted that compounds in tart cherry juice may influence inflammatory pathways involved in pain perception.
Taken together, these findings suggest that tart cherry juice may be linked with reduced exercise-related muscle pain and improved recovery, potentially through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, the studies were small and short-term, and further research would be needed to clarify optimal dosing, duration, and broader applicability.
