Efficacy Of Tart Cherry Juice In Reducing Muscle Damage, Inflammation And Oxidative Stress Following Marathon Running

Abstract

PURPOSE: Tart cherries (Prunus Cerasus) are known to contain a variety of phenolic compounds and are particularly rich in anthocyanins that may help to reduce muscle damage, oxidative stress and inflammation following strenuous physical activity, and help to accelerate recovery. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in aiding recovery, and reducing muscle damage, inflammation and oxidative stress. METHODS: Twenty recreational Marathon runners volunteered to participate. Volunteers were equally, but randomly assigned to two groups and consumed 16 fl oz of a commercially available cherry juice (CherryPharm, Geneva, NY) or placebo (PL) everyday for 5 days prior to, and for 48 h following the Marathon. Measures of muscle damage [creatine kinase (CK), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)], inflammation [interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid], total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress [TBARS and protein carbonyls (PC)] were taken pre-supplement, pre-race, immediately post-race, 24 h and 48 h post-race. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to ascertain differences over time and between groups. RESULTS: MVC recovered significantly faster in the cherry juice group (101% versus 91% at 48h). Markers of inflammation were reduced in the cherry juice versus PL group (IL-6 post race 49% lower, P<0.001; CRP at 24 and 48 hr 33% lower, P<0.01; uric acid post race and at 24 hr 22% and 29% lower, P<0.05). TAS was approximately 10% greater in the cherry juice than the PL group for all post supplementation measures (P<0.05). TBARS at 48h post-race was 29% lower in the cherry juice than the PL at 48h (P<0.05). DOMS, CK and PC were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The cherry juice increased total anti-oxidative capacity following 5 days supplementation, and reduced inflammation, lipid peroxidation, and aided in the recovery of muscle function. This drink appears to provide athletes and exercisers with a viable means to aid recovery by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Perhaps more importantly, the cherry juice may have applications for the management of other clinical pathologies that incur oxidative stress and inflammation.