Is Tart Cherry Juice Really Good for You? Let's Find Out!

These days, there's always talk about new "superfoods" and health drinks, right? You've probably heard of tart cherry juice. Some say it helps you sleep, others say it reduces body aches. So, what's true about these stories? Is this really good for our health? Okay, so let's talk about it today, in simple terms.

What is Tart Cherry Juice?

Simply put, tart cherry juice is a juice made from a type of sour cherry. This type of cherry is called Montmorency cherries. They are different from the sweet cherries we usually buy in the store. These tart cherries are rarely eaten raw, because their taste is sour. Therefore, they are often dried, made into juice, or used to make dishes like pies.

The specialty of these tart cherries is that they are rich in antioxidants . That is, they contain many compounds that can fight harmful substances that damage our body's cells and cause various diseases. They are especially rich in a type of antioxidant called "anthocyanins." These anthocyanins are what give cherries their beautiful red color. They also have the amazing ability to reduce inflammation and swelling in the body.

Sometimes you'll also see "Tart cherry juice concentrate." This means that most of the water in the juice has been removed, making it a concentrated liquid. When drinking this, you should mix it with water.

How is the nutritional value of this juice?

Let's see what nutrients are contained in a typical cup of tart cherry juice (about 240 ml).

In addition, this juice is also rich in important minerals such as Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, and Zinc. Potassium in particular is abundant. Studies have shown that potassium is something that helps control blood pressure and reduce the risk of diseases like stroke.

What are the health benefits of tart cherry juice?

Research has so far found a number of health benefits of tart cherry juice. Let's take a look at a few of them.

1. Reduces inflammation and swelling in the body (Anti-inflammatory effects)

Because of the anthocyanins we talked about earlier, this juice has a great ability to reduce chronic inflammation in the body. Think about the joint pain your mom or dad has. Research has shown that tart cherries can help reduce the pain and stiffness in joints for people with conditions like arthritis.

2. Very important for those who exercise (Exercise recovery and performance)

If you are a regular gym-goer, this is very important for you. Several studies have shown that tart cherry juice helps reduce muscle pain and soreness after exercise. In one study, when athletes were given this juice twice a day for 8 days, their muscle soreness was significantly reduced.

It also has benefits for those who engage in sports that require endurance. This is due to the juice's low glycemic index - meaning it doesn't spike blood sugar levels - and its ability to improve blood circulation in the body.

3. Helps with better sleep

Do you also have trouble falling asleep at night? Then tart cherry juice can help you. Studies have shown that when people with insomnia drink tart cherry juice, their sleep time and sleep quality improve. This may be because the compounds in this juice increase the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps us sleep.

4. Relief for Gout patients

Gout is a severe inflammation of the joints caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. Several studies have shown that people who regularly eat tart cherries or their juice have fewer gout flare-ups. So this may help control uric acid levels.

5. For brain health and immunity

The antioxidants in this juice can reduce the damage (oxidative stress) that occurs to our body's cells as we age. They have also been found to help improve memory and mental function in older people. Also, it helps strengthen our immune system due to nutrients like vitamins A and C.

What is the best time to drink this?

Although you can drink this at any time of the day, you can choose the time depending on the results you are looking for.

• To reduce muscle soreness after exercise , drink it after you're done exercising.
• As a sleep aid , drink it about an hour before going to bed at night.

Be sure to be careful about these too! (Warnings)

Sugar content

Tart cherry juice naturally contains sugar. Some brands may also have added sugar. If you have a medical condition such as Diabetes Mellitus , be sure to consult your doctor before drinking this. Also, the sugar alcohol sorbitol, which is naturally present in these cherries, may cause stomach upset or bloating in some people.

There may be problems with some medications (medication interactions)

This is very important. Tart cherry juice can interact with some medications. So, be especially careful if you are taking any of the following medications:

Therefore, if you are taking any medication, be sure to ask your doctor before drinking tart cherry juice.

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