London: Cherry juice can increase strength and reduce muscle pain brought about by exercise, according to a new study to be published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Fourteen volunteers were asked to either drink fresh cherry juice blended with apple juice twice a day for three days before exercise and for four days afterwards, or to drink a dummy mixture containing no cherry juice. The blend comprised 12 oz of liquid, equivalent to the juice from 50 to 60 cherries.

The volunteers were asked to hill walk or weight lift – two of the most strenuous exercises for muscles. Tenderness, motion, and strength were assessed on each of the days before and after exercise.

The research revealed that there was a significant difference in the degree of muscle strength between those drinking the cherry juice blend and those taking the dummy mixture.

Muscle strength improved almost after 96 hours in those drinking cherry juice, and the average pain score was significantly less in those drinking cherry juice.

The research also showed that the pain a person experiences after rigorous exercise can also be reduced significantly among people who drink the cherry juice.