This fruit juice serves as an effective remedy.
If you were a musician suffering from arthritis in your fingers, making it difficult to play your instrument, what would you do?
While TV commercials might recommend taking painkillers, a guitar player and fiddler opted for a more natural approach: tart cherry juice.
Having a small glass of this juice daily for ten years, usually at lunchtime, has helped him manage his arthritis, alleviate most of the pain, and play without limitations.
Moreover, research on tart cherry juice corroborates his positive experience.
Shrinks Inflammation
Typically, bottled fruit juices are not recommended due to their high sugar content and loss of essential nutrients through processing like pasteurization. However, tart cherry juice stands out as an exception.
One of its remarkable benefits lies in polyphenols, natural compounds that combat inflammation. Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University suggest that tart cherries contain the highest anti-inflammatory properties among all foods.
This is significant because inflammation is implicated in various conditions such as cancer, heart ailments, allergies, and arthritis.
In a study focusing on women with osteoarthritis, the Oregon researchers noted that consuming two glasses of tart cherry juice daily reduced inflammatory markers in their bloodstreams.1
They also observed a reduction in arthritic pain, indicating the potential of tart cherries to alleviate joint discomfort without the side effects associated with conventional arthritis medications.
Studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of tart cherry juice are comparable to some over-the-counter pain medications.2
Blood Pressure Reduction
Tart cherry's natural compounds have demonstrated the ability to lower high blood pressure.
A trial at Northumbria University in the UK involving 15 individuals with hypertension revealed that tart cherry juice decreased blood pressure readings by approximately seven percent. The researchers believe that phenolic acids in tart cherries help relax blood vessel walls, preventing unnecessary constriction.
They suggest that tart cherry juice could be as effective as certain medications in managing high blood pressure, with fewer adverse effects.
Enhanced Sleep Quality
Research indicates that tart cherry juice can improve sleep quality.
A study conducted at Louisiana State University found that older individuals in their 60s and 70s suffering from insomnia experienced an average increase of 84 minutes in their nightly sleep after consuming tart cherry juice twice a day for two weeks.
The researchers attribute the sleep benefits to the natural melatonin in the juice and polyphenols called proanthocyanidins, which aid in converting tryptophan into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep.
Additional benefits of tart cherry juice include:
- Relieving sore muscles post-exercise. Cyclists in a study reported faster recovery and reduced exercise-induced inflammation.3
- Potentially lowering uric acid levels in individuals with gout. Laboratory tests suggest it may help reduce high levels of this inflammatory compound that affects joints.4
- Reducing brain inflammation and lowering the risk of age-related memory issues.5
One word of caution regarding tart cherry juice – moderate consumption is advised due to its sugar content. Nonetheless, incorporating a small amount into your daily routine may help alleviate chronic pain and improve sleep quality, reducing restlessness.