Here is one more reason to include delicious cherry juice as an important part of a healthy diet.
Cherry juice with its high nutrition content, natural anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants [compounds that protect against cell damage inflicted by molecules called oxygen-free radicals, which are a major cause of disease and aging.] not only helps people live a healthy, pain-free life, but is beneficial to athletes as well.
According to a new study, cherry juice at the end of an exhausting marathon finish line boosts stamina, improves endurance, and helps long distance runners recover their strength faster.
Lead author of the study, Glyn Howatson, exercise physiologist and laboratory director in the School of Psychology and Sports Sciences, Northumbria University stated, "Participating in long-distance endurance events, such as a marathon, causes a degree of muscle damage andinflammation for the runners.
"It takes several days to recover and during that period the runners ability to conduct physical activity can be vastly inhibited.
"The phytochemicals, in particular, anthocyanins found in Montmorency cherries have anti-inflammatory and antioxidating properties, which the research has shown to be effective in helping exercises to recover from strenuous physical activity.”
Properties of cherry juice examined
In a bid to ascertain whether tart cherry juice influences the recovery process following a marathon, the researchers conducted a study.
Physiologists examined the properties of the tart juice in 20 athletes who ran in the London Marathon.
In the experiment, the runners were assigned to drink either 50 ml of tart cherry juice or a calorie matched placebo two times daily for five days before taking part in the race and for two days afterwards.
As a part of the investigation, blood samples were taken six days prior to the race, immediately on completion of the event, and then at one and two days after the marathon.
Experts then analyzed the samples for muscle damage. In addition, markers for muscle soreness were measured one day before the marathon and again after the completion of the race.
Outcome of the study
The investigators noted that the group who drank the cherry juice recovered their strength faster, 48 hours after the marathon, compared to those who drank the fake drink.
In addition, it was observed that inflammation levels and oxidative stress that can be an outcome of strenuous physical activity was lower in the cherry juice group.
The researchers concluded that cherry juice appears to increase total antioxidant status offering greater defence against oxidative stress, thereby aiding in the quick recovery of muscle function after the marathon.
Implications of the study
According to experts, the findings of the study suggest that cherry juice could be beneficial in treating people afflicted with inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis
.
Howatson stated, "People are increasingly looking at natural remedies
, or neutraceuticals, to treat their conditions, and scientific studies, such as the research into tart cherries, examine the potentially untapped treatments held in natural resources, that can provide adjunct therapy for the management of disease, which can help reduce negative symptoms and improve quality of life.”
The research was sponsored by St. Mary’s University College Research Scholarship fund.
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source: themedguru
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