Tart cherry juice not only tastes amazing, but offers a plethora of health benefits as well. Here are the benefits of tart cherry juice for health and its side effects.
What are the health benefits of tart cherry juice?
Here are some of the notable health benefits of tart cherry juice:
1. Reduces inflammation
Tart cherries contain compounds such as anthocyanins and other antioxidants that possess anti-inflammatory properties, which help manage conditions like arthritis and muscle soreness.
2. Induces sleep
Tart cherry juice is a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Drinking tart cherry juice may help improve sleep quality and duration, making it beneficial for individuals with insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.
3. Enhances exercise recovery
If you have muscle soreness, you can include tart cherry juice to address it. A study published in Wiley Scandinavian Journal of Medical and Science in Sports has suggested that tart cherry juice can help reduce muscle soreness. Tart cherries contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help alleviate exercise-induced muscle soreness and promote faster recovery.
4. Promotes heart health
The antioxidants found in tart cherries may contribute to heart health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation helping lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels,
5. Keeps joint pain at bay
Tart cherry juice may be good for people with joint pain. Research published in the Current Nutrient Development Journal indicates that tart cherry juice may effectively reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis and gout.
6. Rich in antioxidant properties
The antioxidant properties in tart cherries help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, reducing the damage caused by oxidative stress. It reduces the risk of diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers.
7. Promotes brain health
Tart cherries are good for your brain as well! A study published in IMC Journal suggests that the antioxidants in tart cherries may have neuroprotective effects, potentially reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
How to prepare tart cherry juice?
Preparing tart cherry juice at home is a very simple task to do. Here’s a simple recipe to make tart cherry juice:
Wash the tart cherries thoroughly under cold water and remove the pits.
2. Place the pitted tart cherries in a blender or food processor.
3. Add 1-2 cups of water to the blender, depending on how thick or thin you want your juice to be. Start with adding a small amount of water and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
3. Blend the cherries and water until smooth.
4. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove pulp.
5. Taste the juice and adjust the sweetness level if desired.
6. You can serve the tart cherry juice immediately over ice or refrigerate it for later use.
Homemade tart cherry juice can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.