Whole fruits are preferable to drinks packed with added sugars, but not all juices are created equal. Tart cherry juice provides a plethora of health benefits, and its taste will prevent you from drinking too much! Here are five biggest arguments in favor of this superdrink.
1. It Is a Sleep Aid
Like Delta 8 for sleeping, tart cherry juice will send the sandman your way. This natural sleep aid is highly effective against insomnia. It contains plenty of melatonin, the hormone regulating the human sleep-wake cycle. Studies showing this effect involved elderly participants suffering from insomnia.
The European Journal of Nutrition published a randomized controlled trial observing two groups of volunteers for 7 days. One of the groups consumed tart cherry juice concentrate daily, the other got a placebo drink. Based on urine samples and questionnaires collected after the regimen, the researchers established a connection. The participants whose urine contained more melatonin had better duration and quality of sleep.
2. It Improves Sports Performance
Unlike Delta 8 for appetite, the juice is unlikely to help you with balancing satiety levels. However, it will contribute to your fitness results. According to a meta-analysis of 10 studies published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, it improves endurance.
The participants took powdered cherry extract or drank tart cherry juice before high-intensity activities like swimming races, cycling, or marathons. They ingested the juice or extract for 7 days to 1.5 hours before the performance tests.
The endurance boost was attributed to high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that improve blood flow to muscles and reduce inflammation. Other studies have revealed positive results of the juice on muscle recovery and strength loss after intense physical activity.
3. It Protects Your Heart
Tart cherries are packed with nutrients like potassium and polyphenols. Therefore, they contribute to blood pressure regulation like bananas, beans, and nuts. Drinking tart cherry juice will also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. It Relieves Arthritis Pain
A study published in Current Developments in Nutrition involved 66 adult participants suffering from knee arthritis. The researchers had them drink a placebo drink or 16 oz of tart cherry juice daily for 4 months. Subsequently, they measured their pain levels, stiffness, and plasma biomarkers.
The conclusions reveal that daily consumption improved all three arthritis symptoms. In addition, participants evaluated their quality of life as higher. According to other studies, this drink also decreases the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a marker of inflammation.
5. It Staves Off Gout
Gout is a highly painful form of arthritis characterized by swelling of joints, typically the big toe joint. It is triggered by an excess of uric acid. According to multiple studies, cherry extract, juice, or whole berries could help prevent these flare-ups. One of the largest surveys involved over 630 patients and established that their risk of gout attacks fell by 35% or more.
