Cherries vs. Cherry Extract
George Washington just might have known about the benefits of cherries when he chopped down the cherry tree. Cherries have myriad health benefits eaten raw, frozen, consumed as a juice or taken as an extract.
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Significance
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Cherries are used to fight inflammation, allergies, hay fever, gout and arthritis. They are also useful in preventing muscle soreness and in the recovery from strenuous exercise and workouts.
Benefits
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Science Daily published a report on June 23, 2006 by Declan Connolly, professor at the University of Vermont, along with researchers at New York's Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma and Cornell University, that found cherry juice, made with a high concentration of cherry extract, to be beneficial in preventing muscle soreness and to aid in boosting muscle strength.
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Considerations
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Raw cherries and cherry extract both work in the reduction of muscle soreness and in reducing inflammation. One to two cups of raw cherries pre-workout keep energy levels up and insulin in check, and cherry extract works post workout when mixed with protein, to get to muscles for recovery.
Features
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Raw cherries and cherry extract both offer anti-inflammatory benefits, help fight free radicals, and neutralize uric acid. Cherry extract is more concentrated and is more similar in functioning as an anti-inflammatory drug, an antihistamine and certain anti-asthma drugs.
Potential
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Eating raw cherries can help lessen the severity of inflammatory conditions including arthritis and gout. It may also decrease the severity of cardiovascular disease or cancer as reported in a study by the USDA.
Theory
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Raw cherries and cherry extract both provide many health benefits, and both can alleviate pain and symptoms that accompany many inflammatory conditions. Life is not just a bowl of cherries anymore, it also is an extract.
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