Are you a cherry juice drinker?
Juice made from tart cherry has the bitter taste due to the certain antioxidants which produce the anti-inflammatory effects.
It’s also known that tart cherry juice is capable of reducing the inflammation and pains that are associated with chronic arthritis inflammation and exercise.
Although this juice is very healthy and offers lots of the natural health benefits, there are some potential tart cherry juice side effects you should be aware of when drinking this juice.
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Benefits of drinking tart cherry juice
One of the most widely known and the biggest benefit for drinking tart cherry juice is its beneficial effect in maintaining good joint function.
The tart cherry contains numerous natural antioxidants and other healthy compounds, such as potassium, melatonin, anthocyanins, and so on. These compounds have a variety of synergistic benefits.
The next widely known benefit of tart cherry juice is addressed to the high level of melatonin in this fruit juice, since the tart cherry is one of the top sources when it comes to the naturally occurring melatonin.
As you might know, this compound is good for restful night’s sleep. There’s approximately 100ng’s of melatonin in the cherry juice concentrate, while the cherry powder contains about 137ng’s of melatonin.
Another great benefit of tart cherry juice is its ability to reduce sore muscles arising from physical exercise. It is believed that potassium, a compound which is found in this fruit, contribute to relieving muscle soreness and joint pain. If you have sore muscles, you should consider drinking this juice in order to relieve the pain.
Possible tart cherry juice side effects
Now we have found out more about the main natural benefits. These effects are less dangerous than those caused by anti-inflammatory medications (such as aspirin) and pharmaceutical drugs used to relieve pain and/or inflammation.
Regular use of these medications may cause heart failure, kidney damage, and certain gastrointestinal problems.
What about tart cherry juice?
The tart cherry juice contains a small amount (about 15 mg) of fructose, a naturally occurring hexose sugar, so people who suffer from diabetes should avoid this juice.
For that reason, those watching their sugar intake need to consider using the cherry capsules that contain less than 1 mg of this sugar instead of drinking the tart cherry juice.
Besides, you can also gain weight if you drink tart cherry juice on a daily basis, as one cup of this juice contains about 140 calories.
This is especially true if you consume tart cherry juice in large quantities. Therefore, you shouldn’t overdo it. You might ask how much you should drink it per day. Well, one glass of tart cherry juice per single serving is the upper limit you should be drinking. Do no drink more than two glasses per day!
However, the main tart cherry juice side effects include a stomach ache, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. That’s because tart cherry juice contains a high sorbitol content in its composition, Baylor College of Medicine reveals.
Sorbitol is a sweet crystalline compound that can deteriorate irritable bowel syndrome in humans and aggravate so-called bacterial overgrowth syndrome. Although bacterial overgrowth is often associated with some digestive system issues (e.g. diarrhea, gas, bloating, and constipation), it isn’t recognized by conventional medicine.
Tart cherry juice contains 45-50 pieces of cherries, which is equivalent to 3 servings of fruit. It may cause upset stomach or additional poundage in some people.
In theory, juice made from tart cherry can interfere with certain medications. People who use blood thinner medications are advised to consult with their doctor regarding tart cherry juice, as the enzyme cyclooxygenase is responsible for thinning the blood.
Those with blood pressure problems should also speak to their doctor before using tart cherry juice, since cyclooxygenase is associated with blood pressure as well.
Final Thought
No need to fear. Despite all of these side effects that may occur in some individuals, the healthy effect of tart cherry juice cannot be disputed when it comes to the protection against injuries that are associated with inflammation.
Because this juice contains phenols, flavanols, and anthocyanins, which are delivered to the muscular tissue, it is able to repel the attack of a variety of pathologies that cause inflammation. In the absence of inflammation, tart cherry juice doesn’t have the analgesic effects.
On the other hand, tart cherry juice side effects are rare and not dangerous. Even when they occur, consequences are not so serious for human health. However, if you are on some specific medications, you need to speak to your health practitioner or doctor in order to avoid possible reactions.