People are always looking for easy, at-home remedies for added health benefits. Recently, tart cherry juice has been a topic of discussion. Many of you may have heard about those who take their daily dose of kombucha and apple cider vinegar, and tart cherry juice falls into this category, as it is also a natural, nutritious ritual you can easily add to your diet. But why add this to your diet? And does it work? As the juice has become increasingly popular, several successful studies have proven health benefits of taking tart cherry juice. Let’s take a look.
Rich in Nutrients
Tart cherry juice contains an array of nutrients such as vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, manganese, omega-3 fats, omega-6 fats, potassium, fiber and antioxidants. All of these vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can help strengthen your immune system and fight heart disease. They have also been linked to potentially protecting against certain types of cancer.
Reduces Muscle Soreness
There have been multiple studies done on adults who are involved in high-intensity workouts. These studies have shown those who drink tart cherry juice leading up to an intense workout experience less pain, soreness and inflammation compared to those who did not drink the tart cherry juice. And they also have a quicker recovery.
Helps Lose Weight
There has been evidence that tart cherry juice can help reduce belly fat and lower cholesterol. Tart cherry juice is not going to make you magically lose weight, but it will assist you in a weight-loss plan.
Improves Sleep Quality
Tart cherries have high amounts of tryptophan and anthocyanins, which help the body produce melatonin — a hormone that aids in the regulation of sleep cycles. Studies have shown that people suffering from insomnia saw an increase in the duration of time they have slept and helped increase the quality of their sleep after drinking tart cherry juice. It is recommended to drink tart cherry juice an hour before bed.
When you are looking to buy tart cherry juice, you must remember not all tart cherry juice is the same. Some juice is made from concentrate, and others are not from concentrate. Both have great health benefits; however, the better choice is from concentrate because you want to avoid the added sugar. When supplementing with tart cherry juice, the recommended amount is 8 ounces of juice or 2 tablespoons of concentrate once or twice a day.
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