Tart cherries act as anti-inflammatories
New research from Oregon Health & Science University suggests that tart cherries have a greater anti-inflammatory content than any food, and can help people with osteoarthritis manage their disease.
A study of 20 women aged from 40 – 70 with inflammatory osteoarthritis found that two daily servings of tart cherry juice taken for three weeks led to significant reductions in inflammation. Women who had the highest inflammation levels at the start of the test benefited most.
Dr Kerry Kuehl, Oregon Health & Science University’s principal study investigator, said, “I’m intrigued by the potential for a real food to offer such a powerful anti-inflammatory benefit – especially for active adults.”
According to Dr Kuehl’s previous research, the anti-inflammatory properties of tart cherries could be particularly important for athletes. In a past study, Dr Kuehl found that people who drank tart cherry juice during a long-distance running training regime reported significantly less pain after exercise than those who did not drink the juice.
Previous research on tart cherries and osteoarthritis conducted by researchers at Baylor Research Institute found that a daily dose of tart cherries (as cherry extract) helped reduce osteoarthritis pain by more than 20 percent for the majority of men and women.
