Researchers at Northumbria
University and St Mary’s University have revealed just how effective Montmorency
tart cherry juice products can be in helping people recover after exercise.
For more than 10
years, Professor Glyn Howatson - a research leader and Professor in Human and
Applied Physiology - has led ground-breaking research into the positive effects
of drinking Montmorency cherry juice before and after strenuous sporting
activity.
As a direct result
of his team’s research studies, elite athletes have used Montmorency cherry
products in the run up to, and during, the 2012, 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games to
help athletes recover from intense bouts of training, strenuous competition,
and injury.
Now, elite
sportsmen and women worldwide, from Premiership footballers to NBA basketball
players and Grand Tour cyclists, routinely incorporate Montmorency cherry
products into their training regimes.
In a bid to fully
understand the bigger picture, however, research teams from both Northumbria
University and St Mary’s University, in London, recently produced a new
meta-analysis - a statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple
scientific studies – to come up with an overall conclusion about the benefits
of tart cherry juice.
The analysis of 14
previously published studies concluded that taking Montmorency tart cherry - in
the form of juice, powder, or tablets - has a significant effect on improving
the recovery of muscle strength and reducing reported muscle soreness after
exercise.
The supplementation
included one to two servings per day during the length of the study – ranging
from seven to 16 days, including pre-exercise, day of, and post-exercise.
“In previous
studies, we found tart cherries to have significant benefits on recovery after
strenuous exercise involving runners, cyclists and team sports players,” said
Professor Howatson. “However, there are some inconsistencies in the scientific
literature, and therefore we wanted to clarify the effectiveness and identify
the factors most affected by tart cherry supplementation.
“Although the
overall picture shows a positive response, the variations in the response to
tart cherries in some published studies are likely due to the differences in
study design, dietary control, the study participants and the type of exercise.
For instance, tart cherry products seem to be more beneficial for exercise that
is more metabolically challenging.”
Nearly all the
studies on cherries and exercise recovery or performance have been conducted
with Montmorency tart cherries, the most common variety of tart cherries grown
in the United States. They are available year-round in dried, frozen, canned,
juice and juice concentrate forms.
The findings from
this latest meta-analysis have been published in the International
Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.
Watch this video for more information about the
study.
