Study participants are tested during a double blind study.
WINONA, Minn. (WSU-UC) – Whether a trained athlete or an occasional weekend warrior, those looking for relief from muscle soreness could find it growing on trees–specifically red tart cherry trees.
Researchers at Winona State University found that tart cherry softgel supplements significantly altered muscle soreness, oxidative stress and C-reactive protein over time compared to a group ingesting a placebo. The research findings were presented May 30 at the 2009 American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Seattle.
The purpose of the 2008 cross-over double blind study was to examine the effects of cherry supplementation using CherryFlex Softgels on exercise-induced inflammation, tissue damage, oxidative stress biomarkers and muscle soreness.
Fourteen healthy college-aged subjects performed five sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor after taking the cherry supplement 16 days prior to and three days following exercise. Blood samples from participants were taken to measure the extent of muscle injury and oxidative stress during the trial.
Results show protective effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, range of motion, contractile force and perceived pain from participants ingesting the cherry softgel supplement. Made from Montmorency tart cherries, the study product is a whole cherry paste in a soft gelatin capsule, marketed under the name FruitFast® CherryFlex softgels (www.fruitfast.com)
The results of the pilot study could also favorably tie tart cherries to reducing C-reactive protein (CRP) in the body. CRP is the blood marker of inflammation and is believed to be a factor in the development of coronary artery disease.
“Our results suggest that the CherryFlex ingestion reduces muscle soreness, oxidative stress and C-reactive protein levels compared to subjects ingesting placebo,” said lead researcher Dr. Gary Kastello of Winona State University’s Department of Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences.
“The most compelling health-related change to come out of the early study was the decline in C-reactive protein, which is considered a marker of coronary artery disease risk,” Kastello continued. “A second expanded study of CRP will allow us to see if the CherryFlex supplement will lower the risk of coronary heart disease in older people.”
The University’s expanded research study on the effect of cherry supplementation in 45-70 year-old subjects is currently underway, with results expected this December.
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