PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN TART CHERRIES ALLEVIATES EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE.

Flavonoids and anthocyanins with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been identified in tart cherries. In a cross-over design study, 14 male college students drank 12 fl oz of a cherry juice blend or a placebo twice daily for 8 consecutive days. On the fourth day of supplementation, the students performed several arm/elbow exercises to measure strength, pain, and muscle tenderness. Two weeks later, each subject repeated the protocol with the other beverage using the opposite arm. Strength loss and pain were significantly less with cherry juice than with placebo. Muscle tenderness was similar with both beverages. These data show efficacy for cherry juice in decreasing some of the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, the authors concluded. These results have important practical applications for athletes, as performance after damaging exercise bouts is primarily affected by strength loss and pain. (Medscape Medical News, 06/22/06)