Efficacy of tart cherry juice in reducing muscle pain during running: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundLong distance running causes acute muscle damage resulting in inflammation and decreased force production. Endurance athletes use NSAIDs during competition to prevent or reduce pain, which carries the risk of adverse effects. Tart cherries, rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may have a protective effect to reduce muscle damage and pain during strenuous exercise. This study aimed to assess the effects of tart cherry juice as compared to a placebo cherry drink on pain among runners in a long distance relay race.MethodsThe design was a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Fifty-four healthy runners (36 male, 18 female; 35.8 ± 9.6 yrs) ran an average of 26.3 ± 2.5 km over a 24 hour period. Participants ingested 355 mL bottles of tart cherry juice or placebo cherry drink twice daily for 7 days prior to the event and on the day of the race. Participants assessed level of pain on a standard 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, before the race, and after the race.ResultsWhile both groups reported increased pain after the race, the cherry juice group reported a significantly smaller increase in pain (12 ± 18 mm) compared to the placebo group (37 ± 20 mm) (p < .001). Participants in the cherry juice group were more willing to use the drink in the future (p < 0.001) and reported higher satisfaction with the pain reduction they attributed to the drink (p < 0.001).ConclusionsIngesting tart cherry juice for 7 days prior to and during a strenuous running event can minimize post-run muscle pain.

Tart cherry in amelioration of pain in the elderly

“…A small number of human studies have been conducted in athletes to investigate whether tart cherry treatment is linked to pain associated with muscle damage [21,22,46]. Pain that occurs following an acute tissue injury may be due in part to oxidative damage, which triggers an inflammatory response [21,22]. Both mechanical and oxidative tissue damage are seen in chronic diseases of aging, as well as in competitive athletes.…”

“…The runners that took cherry juice were also more satisfied with their treatment and associated pain reduction with the treatment. Possible mechanisms of action are anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects that blunt a secondary inflammatory response and myofibrillar disruption, thus prevention of oxidative tissue damage [21].…”

“…Both mechanical and oxidative tissue damage are seen in chronic diseases of aging, as well as in competitive athletes. In either case muscle pain is often treated with NSAIDs, yet tart cherry may provide a potential safe treatment or adjunct with fewer side effects [21]. Kuehl et al (2010) conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a group of 54 long-distance runners.…”

“…In either case muscle pain is often treated with NSAIDs, yet tart cherry may provide a potential safe treatment or adjunct with fewer side effects [21]. Kuehl et al (2010) conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a group of 54 long-distance runners. While both treatment and placebo groups showed increases in post-race muscle pain, tart cherry juice intake for one week prior to the race resulted in a smaller increase on the VAS pain scale compared to a placebo (12 mm increase vs. 37 mm increase).…”

“…The purpose of this review is to summarize and critically examine in vitro and in vivo human and animal studies (Table 1) on the efficacy of tart cherry products for pain relief in chronic diseases. Since the majority of the published human studies [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] are insufficiently powered, it is not possible to conduct a meta-analysis to ascertain the role of tart cherry in pain relief.…”