Irvine, CA—Can tart cherry reduce athletic performance and muscle soreness after exercise? Yes, according to new research published in theJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
In a small study, 27 endurance runners and triathletes (ages 21.8 ± 3.9 years) either took 480 mg of a placebo or powdered tart cherry extract (CherryPURE from Anderson Global Group, based here) for 10 days that included a half-marathon run (under two hours). Blood samples and muscle soreness ratings were taken. Those taking the supplement had 13% faster half-marathon finish times than the placebo group as well as a linear increase in antioxidant activity at 24 and 48 hours of recovery. Inflammatory markers were 47% lower in the tart cherry group than the placebo group, and soreness was also 34% lower in the tart cherry group.
This study was conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University.
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, online 6/9/16
