A collaborative study made by scientists from the University of Vermont, New York's Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, and Cornell University showed that a fresh, highly-concentrated formulation of tart cherry juice has been able to prevent the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle pain and damage.

The study participants were asked to either drink a bottle of the cherry juice blend twice a day for three days before exercise and for four days afterwards, or to drink a placebo juice containing no cherries. The 12-ounce bottle of juice contained the liquid equivalent of 50 to 60 tart cherries blended with commercially available apple juice.

The researchers attribute cherry juice's effectiveness in muscle damage repair to its anti-inflammatory properties, which until now, have remained purely anecdotal. The group plans to conduct further studies, also as treatment for arthritis and involving race horses.