Ibuprofen (Nurofen) has become a first choice for the relief of all kinds of everyday inflammatory conditions. Like all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, it has several potentially troublesome side effects for some people who use it. A possible alternative has been described recently by US researchers.

A study of competitors in Oregon's Hood to Coast relay race (315km) found that those who consumed 355ml twice daily of juice of the Montmorency (sour) cherry for a week up to race day and on race day reported significantly less pain and had less inflammation and more rapid muscle strength recovery that those who drank a placebo (dummy) cherry juice. Competitors who were part of the study and who ran an average 26.3km over 24 hours rated themselves on a visual analogue scale before and after the event. 

The mechanism of the effect was unknown but the magnitude substantial. The juice was also well received by the competitors. Further study is certainly warranted.

Source: Kuehl KS, et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2010 May 7:17 doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-17

More nutrition research news

Originally posted in August 2010. everybody Nutrition News items are selected from a wide range of journals, bulletins and nutrition information sources worldwide and summarised by Professor John Birkbeck, Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.