Juice from the tart cherry - an aid for pain, inflammation, and sleep

The health benefits of tart cherries is amazing. Tart cherry is growing in popularity as a super fruit. Long used in pies, these wonderful fruit just may be a great addition to your health and well-being. There are numerous health benefits to the power-packing cherry. They serve as an easy, tasty way to treat many conditions such as arthritis and pain. Benefits from this cherry are continuing to be discovered by researchers, and it is truly a super fruit.

My experience

Let me start by saying I am not a doctor or medical expert. I am simply sharing my own experience with taking tart cherry, as well as information that I have learned from reading about it during the last few years. Please take the normal precautions before beginning a supplement, and seek advice from a doctor if necessary.

I have been taking/drinking/eating tart cherries on and off for about six years. I was in my 20's, active, but suffering from chronic knee pain. A forward-thinking doctor introduced me to tart cherry juice and recommended that I try it. I left my appointment and stopped at a health food store and picked up a bottle. For the price, I sure hoped it helped. I started drinking it that day. An ounce a day was all that I drank. To my amazement, after the fourth day of taking it, I woke up one morning and got out of my bed without any nagging pain. I was in disbelief. It was as if I had been cured. It had done the job that over the counter pain medicine was unable to. I was able to resume sports and exercise. It was an unbelievable experience. As a side note, my knee problems continued, although relatively pain free, up until the point where it became necessary that I have surgery on each knee.

Powerful pain reliever and anti-inflammatory

Tart cherries are loaded with anthocyianins. It is these anthocyianins that are said to have a wide range of health benefits. They act as a strong anti-inflammatory that can help ease pain from inflammation. Research has shown that tart cherries may serve as a much stronger pain reliever than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

Common conditions that are treated with tart cherry:

• arthritis
• gout
• muscle pain
• muscle recovery from activity

Recent research has found that tart cherry serves as an excellent muscle-recovery aid for hard workouts. Some sports teams have begun taking tart cherry after training or games. Post-excercise soreness may be much more tolerable when tart cherry is taken.

Healthy sleep

Tart cherries contain a large amount of melatonin. Tart cherry juice can be used as a sleep aid and can help people troubled by poor sleep, or disorders. The large amount of melatonin is useful in maintaining the sleep cycle.

Cancer treatment

Some research has suggested that the anthocyanins in tart cherries can help slow the growth of cancer cells. Research and testing does not appear to be conclusive, but many people are using tart cherry to try to slow the growth of cancer. Additionally, the melatonin in tart cherry is believed to slow some types of cancer growth.

Buying tart cherry

I prefer to take tart cherry concentrate, as opposed to juice. It can be purchased at health food stores and some supermarkets, or online. Capsules are also available and can be purchased in health food stores or online. Dried tart cherries are a delicious snack, and deliver the same benefits. Tart cherry products can be expensive. It may be worth buying in bulk to save some money.

Taking tart cherry

Follow the product recommendations for taking tart cherry supplements - or follow guidance from a doctor or health professional. Tart cherry concentrate can be mixed with other drinks. Experiment with different mixes to find a flavor that you like. I enjoy mixing tart cherry with clear sodas like Sprite or 7-Up. It is also delicious with ginger ale and cola. Or simply mix it in club soda. If you don't mind the taste of straight tart cherry, you can take it by itself rather than mixing it.