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Pain/Recovery Recent studies suggest cherries may have powerful pain relief benefits for active adults, from elite athletes to weekend warriors. Research from Oregon Health & Science University revealed that runners who drank cherry juice twice a day for seven days prior to and on the day of a long-distance relay had significantly less muscle pain following the race than those who drank another fruit juice beverage. Researchers believe cherries’ post-exercise benefits are likely because of the fruit’s natural anti-inflammation properties – attributed to antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins, which also give cherries their bright red color. Cherries’
post-exercise benefits are good news for the increasing
number of active adults who feel the aches and pain of
post-exercise muscle soreness.
The average age of today’s
endurance athlete is 40-years-old (marathonguide.com).
According to health and fitness experts, diet is
a key part of training to manage pain. “Most people only think about how to manage post-workout pain, not realizing that pain management and the ability to maximize muscle recovery starts before you even put on your shoes,” said Leslie Bonci, sports dietitian and Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh. “I recommend tart cherry juice to my athletes because it is a natural, anti-inflammatory option that provides additional nutrition value such as antioxidants and carbohydrates. Cherry juice is also extremely convenient to incorporate into a routine because it is available all year round and easy to take on the road.” Bonci also authored the Red Recovery Routine, which provides simple and healthy ways to not only enhance your overall training diet, but to incorporate tart cherries into your day for increased pain relief and performance. |
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A Natural Way to Fight Jet Lag Try adding cherries to your diet. It takes mere seconds to reset our watch to a different time zone after an international flight, but it takes longer for our body’s internal time clocks to adjust. Frequent travelers often stash a bottle of melatonin in their carry-on bag to help fight jet lag, but now they may have a more natural and tasty way to prepare for the trip: cherries. Cherries are one of the few known food sources of melatonin, a potent antioxidant produced naturally by the body's pineal gland that helps regulate biorhythm and natural sleep patterns. Scientists have found melatonin-rich tart cherries (commonly enjoyed as dried, frozen, juice or concentrate) contain more of this powerful antioxidant than what is normally produced by the body. Eating cherries can be a natural way to boost your body’s melatonin levels to hasten sleep and ease jet lag. According to Russel J. Reiter, PhD, a nutrition researcher at the University of Texas Health and Science Center and one of the world’s leading authorities on melatonin, try eating dried cherries one hour before desired sleep time on the plane. After arrival, consume cherries one hour before desired sleep each night for at least three consecutive evenings. For more information on this “Super
Fruit” fighting jet lag click
here.
What’s more, a new study conducted
by
Russel J. Reiter, PhD, one of the world's leading
authorities on melatonin, found that melatonin may play
a role in delaying the effects of aging. Reiter and
colleagues at the For tips on how to incorporate more cherries in your routine, click here. Click here for more information on the melatonin power of cherries. |