In The News: Tart Cherry Juice and Fibromyalgia

Reader Contribution by Katie Priebe
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A recent study tested the effects that tart cherry juice has on fibryomyalgia patients and discovered marginal benefits in patient’s muscle strength.

Fibromyalgia, a common pain disorder, often limits its sufferers’ physical activity because of discomfort and delayed onset muscle soreness, otherwise known as DOMS. This study, conducted by the Oregon Health & Science University, was designed to test the effects of tart cherry juice on on maintaining strength and reducing pain in fibromyalgia patients. 


Tart cherry juice may curb the pain in fibromyalgia patients.
Photo by ulterior epicure/Courtesy
Flickr

Tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) contains flavonoids and anthocyanins, according to the American Botanical Council. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents may reduce DOMS; flavonoids and anthocyanins have been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Fifteen women around the of ages 21 to 65 years old, with a confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia, were enrolled in this study. According to the study, “tart cherry juice demonstrated marginal benefits in maintaining muscle strength in patients with well-documented fibromyalgia, and for a subset of participants, may have demonstrated a benefit in reducing the overall pain VAS pain score after eccentric exercise.”

What do you think about this study? Do you or someone you know live with fibromyalgia?

Check out more about tart cherries and fibromyalgia at The Herb Companion.

  • Published on Feb 28, 2011
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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