Reduce Inflammation Without Side Effects

A sweet way to reduce inflammation without side effects? KT Tape is an excellent way to treat and prevent inflammation without the side effects associated with many anti-inflammatory drugs.  Adding tart cherry juice to your training table could add an additional boost to help fight muscle soreness and swelling.  According to an article on the Medical News Today website, a new study by the Oregon Health and Science University found that drinking tart cherry juice provided significant reduction in pain after long-distance runs.  The research was presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Seattle, WA. The study followed a group of 60 healthy adults in the 18-50 year old age range.  Participants who drank 10.5 ounces of cherry juice twice a day for a week leading up to and on the day of a long-distance rely reported much less pain than counterparts who drank another type of fruit juice.  On a scale of 1 to 10, the cherry juice drinkers reported pain levels that were about two points lower than the other juice users. "For most runners, post-race treatment consists of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and traditional NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)," said Kerry Kuehl, M.D., a sports medicine physician and principal study investigator in an interview with Medical News Today. "But NSAIDS can have adverse effects - negative effects you may be able to avoid by using a natural, whole food alternative, like cherry juice, to reduce muscle inflammation before exercise." Cherries contain a natural anti-inflammatory -- antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins.  These compounds also make cherries bright red.  Researchers believe the anthocyanins are responsible for the post-exercise pain prevention provided by the cherry juice.  The same researchers presented another study at the conference that supported the use of cherry juice to treat fibromyalgia as well.  Sweet news indeed.