Study: Cherry juice relieves the pain of the participants of a running race

Reference

kuehl KS, Perrier et, Elliot DL, Chesnutt Jc. Effectiveness of sour cherry juice in relieving muscle pain when running: a randomized controlled study. j int -soc sports Nutr . 2010; 7: 17.

Design

A randomized, double -blind, placebo -controlled study in which the participants drank a glass of cherry juice twice a day before participating in a relay. These runners were examined at the beginning, before the race and after the race for their level of pain.

participant

54 Healthy runners who took part in the Hood to Coast Relay Race in Oregon. The runners were part of 12-strong relay teams, who laid the 315 km from Mt. Hood to the coast of Oregons; Each ran an average of 26.3 km during the 24-hour period (± 2.5). Of the 54 registered participants, 28 cherry juice and 26 received a placebo drink. A total of 3 participants withdrew before participating in the study

study medication and dosage

The participants consumed two 10.5-amzen bottles of juice from sour Monternency cherries on each of the seven days before the race and on the race day. Each bottle contained the equivalent of 45-50 cherries. The placebo was power-fruit punch powder. The juice consumption was discontinued after the race.

main target parameter

The data was collected at three times during the study: day 1/base line (7 days before the race), day 7/racing start and day 8/end of the race. The participants assessed their pain intensity even with the help of a standard visual analog scale (VAS) of 100 mm, whereby 0 mm did not mean pain and 100 mm.

most important knowledge

It should not be surprising that at the end of this exhausting race all pain had, although it appears that the group, the cherry juice drank, complained less than those who had drunk the placebo. Those who drank the cherry juice reported a significantly lower increase in pain after the race (average increase after the race of 12 mm in the cherry juice group, compared to an increase of 37 mm in the placebo group). The relative pain reduction after the race in the cherry group (25 mm lower vas than in placebo) suggests that sour cherry juice offers a protective advantage against acute muscle pain caused by distance runs.

However, these results are not as clear as they sound. There was actually no statistical difference between the groups in relation to the pain values ​​on the day of the competition - 22.6 mm (10–35,2, p <0.05) for the cherry juice drinkers compared to 45.3 mm (24,8–65.8, p <0.001) for the placebo graduate.

The cherry drinkers started with significantly higher elementary pain. Although the participants were supposedly randomized, this initial difference indicates that this was not the case. In order to prevent cross contamination (i.e. people who exchange drinks bottles and accidentally drink cherry juice or placebo during the race), entire teams were assigned to a drink. This probably explains the significant difference in the initial pain values. This detail should not affect the results of this study.

This is only the latest a number of studies on cherry juice and muscle regeneration after exertion that suggests similar advantages. Connolly et al. reported in June 2006 that a sour cherry juice mixture prevented symptoms of muscle damage. ¹ In their study, the participants carried out exercises to flex the elbow in the middle of an 8-day period and drank 12 ounces of cherry juice twice a day. Two weeks later, the participants crossed the border and made the same exercise attempt again. Loss of strength and pain were significantly lower in the study of the cherry juice compared to the placebo group.

in October 2009, Howatson et al. On the effect that the drinking of cherry juice on marathon runners. The cherry juice drinkers achieved their isometric power faster. Their inflammatory markers were also significantly lower (IL-6, p <0.001; Crp, p <0.01; uric acid, p <0.05). The entire antioxidant status was about 10 % higher in the cherry juice group than in the placebo group.

Together these studies confirm the growing perception that cherry juice is a useful means of preventing pain and inflammation, although these studies focus on a certain form of injuries (e.g. muscle injuries caused by physical activity). In many situations, cherry juice can serve as a sufficient replacement or replacement for aspirin or non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but without the side effects or health risks associated with these medication. Cherry juices and cherry concentrates are increasingly available in health food stores. Many commercial cherry farmers are now selling cherry juice concentrates in the food industry quality (8: 1 concentrates) directly via the Internet. These concentrates enable an even simpler intake of therapeutic doses of cherry polyphenols and anthrocyans.

cherries as an extract or juice should be considered in both acute and chronic pain; You can offer comfortable and affordable pain relief.

cherries as an extract or juice should be considered in both acute and chronic pain; You can offer comfortable and affordable pain relief. We should note that most patients perceive these concentrates and juices as tasty and effective for pain relief.