Endurance sports nutrition advice to combat muscle pain

Red cherries are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits on the earth. Antioxidants boost health in lots of ways, ranging from maintaining healthy blood vessels to preventing the growth of cancerous tumors. But some specific antioxidant compounds found in cherries called anthocyanins, which give cherries their bright red color, seem to confer even more health benefits that would be of particular interest to those involved in marathon training, triathlon training, or any other type of endurance sport training.

Two different studies have now shown that drinking cherry juice can ease post-exercise pain. In one study done at the University of Vermont, competitive rowers who added cherry juice to their diets experienced significantly less muscle soreness and strength loss after taking a test designed to cause muscle damage than did a group of fellow rowers who received a placebo. Then in a second study out of Oregon Health & Science University, researchers found that runners who drank 10.5 ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day leading up to and on the day of a long-distance relay race experienced significantly less muscle pain after completing the race than did runners who drank an artificial fruit drink.

In both instances researchers speculate that the post-exercise benefits of cherry juice are most likely due to the anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory powers. So consider adding cherry juice to your diet, especially when your marathon training or triathlon training is peaking. You just might find that those NSAIDS you often have to pop after at tough workout are no longer necessary.