Natural Exercise Supplement – Tart Cherry Juice

 

 

Did you know that Cherry Juice is a Natural Exercise supplement? YUP!! I love Cherries and the tart flavor. So this is good news for me and for all of you that don’t want to take supplements in powdered or pill form. I have been suffering with Inflammation issues and went out seeking information on natural ways to help my body. I have been drinking Tart Cherry juice every day and is has made a dramatic difference. I’m all about finding ways to ease pain or discomfort without adding pills or medication to my body.

 

Tart Cherries are a great source of antioxidants. They have vitamins A and C and that red blue and purple pigment have potent antioxidant properties as well. Side Note, They must be ‘tart’ cherries, not just any old cherries.

 

But what does that mean for us? Basically it means that if we eat cherries or drink cherry juice (Fresh juice, not the store bought processed added sugar blend crap) They can be your post workout Recovery. They help to reduce inflammation and ease muscle soreness and have been proven to reduce damage to muscles during exercise. You should drink or eat the cherries within 30 minutes of your workout to really get the added benefit. Cherries also make for a great snack and will help you get in a serving of fruit. Also, do keep in mind that 8 ounces has about 140 calories.

 

A warning, though, be careful, as with any new food, to make sure it doesn’t cause any digestive issues. In other words, it can make you have to run to the bathroom. If I drink just one glass a day, I’m fine, but to be on the safe side, the first time I tried this I only had a half glass and then worked my way up to a full glass.

 

Dark Berries are so beneficial to your brain health and are lower in sugar than most fruits. Dark berries are a natural food that help prevent brain illness and disease. They also act as a natural remedy to help keep your brain mentally sharp, your cognitive functioning high and improve your memory. Keep that in mind when you are choosing your fruit for the day.

 

One of the things I realized is that the suggested amount of cherries to EAT was about 50 cherries. I knew there was NO WAY that I would be able to eat that many cherries; so I went out and bought the juice. You can make it yourself and I will add that recipe below BUT, lets be honest…I don’t really have that kinda time as a busy mom, wife, business owner, health coach and Well….LIFE.

 

If you are over scheduled like me and need to buy the tart cherry juice to save some time… Look at the juice ingredient labels. The ONLY ingredient should be 100% juice or 100% cherry juice concentrate. MAYBE water. That’s it! Some will add in other juices or additives. You can usually find a REAL juice in the natural foods section of your grocery store or in the refrigerated section. You can buy it online as well but do your du diligence with the ingredient labels.  That Zoom magnifying glass should be your best friend.

 

Here is the one that we buy. The only thing listed on the ingredient label is tart cherry juice concentrate and water.

 

 

What you Need:

50+ Tart Cherries

 

 

What you do:

Wash and stem the cherries. Place them in a blender or food processor and add about 1/4 cup water for every cup of cherries. Blend until the cherries are ground, but the pits are not completely. Place a big bowl under a fine mesh colander or sieve to catch the juice. Pour the juice into the colander or sieve to collect the pits and skins. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to press the juice through the sieve. Discard the pits. Transfer the juice into a pitcher or glass carafe and refrigerate.

 

ENJOY!!

 

You can find more scientific information at the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health’s website.