The Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice on Recovery

When many people think about recovery and rehydration in terms of sports nutrition, they think of sports drinks, Gatorade, energy bars or supplements. There are truly so many products on the market to target sports nutrition which makes it so easy to get away from the basic, and arguably the best, way to recover and rehydrate: natural foods! A perfect example of a natural recovery drink post workout is tart cherry juice.

Research has shown that this juice has a powerful blend of anti-inflammatory, antioxidants and flavonoids. That all sounds fancy and scientific but what does it actually translate to?

Anti-inflammatory nutrients are actually more concentrated in the juice than the cherries themselves. These nutrients help athletes to recover faster, heal muscles, reduce muscle pain and damage and reduce inflammation in the body. Anthocyanins, another form of antioxidants, promote healthy circulation and good nerve function as well. These are also important factors of recovery and good athletic performance.

The antioxidants in tart cherry juice help boost immunity to strengthen the immune system. In fact, the antioxidants were shown to not only help you sleep but potentially block cancer growth in some patients. Flavonoids, such as Quertitrin, has been shown to be one of the most potent cancer fighters. Other compounds have been shown to receive arthritis, gout, migraines and even fight the effects of aging.

A study focusing on runners, for example, that was published in the 2010 Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, showed that runners consuming 11-12 ounces of tart cherry juice for a week prior to a long distance run as well as the day of the race, reported less pain than those consuming the placebo. There have been many studies similar to this one all concluding with results showing the incredible benefits that the juice has on recovery and muscle soreness.

Tart cherry juice has proven benefits in so many areas of health. It’s an easy and delicious post workout drink to ensure the proper recovery your body deserves. Start drinking some regularly leading up to and after an athletic event, hard workout or even daily to start seeing how it works for you!