The good news about cherries just keeps coming. As the cherry blossoms in the National Mall in Washington DC start to bloom, this tiny unassuming fruit is again gaining national attention. In addition to their great taste cherries are also packed with powerful antioxidants and compounds that can stop joint pain naturally.
As their popularity as a natural joint pain fighter grows it makes sense to take a closer look at the published scientific evidence that links tart cherries and cherry juice to joint pain relief. So if you’re looking for science-backed information how this tiny little fruit can help, check this out.
The Science Behind the Cherry
Thanks to dedicated food researchers and modern food research technology we now have hard scientific evidence to back up the claims cherries help relieve joint pain. Cherries are an excellent source of several powerful antioxidants including melatonin and anthocyanins. The anthocyanin compounds, in particular, have been shown to help fight inflammation. In fact, according to Michigan State University, the specific type of anthocyanins found in cherries contains 10 times the pain relieving power of over-the-counter aspirin and ibuprofen. This means pain sufferers can enjoy a glass of tart cherry juice and enjoy relief without the potential side effects.
One study in particular conducted by Oregon Health and Science University revealed that participants who drank tart cherry juice in a double blind, placebo study experienced lower inflammation markers. The results of the study we published in the Journal of Food Studies and included twenty individuals suffering from osteoarthritis. All of the participants were females and ranged from 40 – 70 years in age.
Prior to the start of the study, the researchers asked each participant to rate their level of pain and provide a blood sample. The samples were taken to assess the inflammation biomarkers levels in the body. These included C-Reactive Protein, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and both Interleukin-10 and Interleukin-6.
This information was used as a baseline and compared with the results at the end of the study.
The subjects were divided into two groups and asked to consume either a placebo or a cherry juice drink twice daily for 21 days. Each drank 10.5 ounces of the juice or the placebo daily.
After the test period, the results were compiled and analyzed. According to the published results the cherry juice drinkers experienced a reduction in the inflammatory markers. While future research and study are needed to further confirm the ability of the tart cherry and cherry juice to reduce joint pain naturally this is an excellent start. So if you’re looking for a natural way to reduce arthritis pain and want published scientific research backing up any folklore or urban legend, tart cherry juice may be what you are looking for.
Resource: http://macrothink.org/journal/index.php/jfs
