No Effect of Tart Cherry Juice or Pomegranate Juice on Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Non-Resistance Trained Men.

2019-07-14
Nutrients 11(7)
- Kirstie L Lamb
- Mayur K Ranchordas
- Elizabeth Johnson
- Jessica Denning
- Faye Downing
- Anthony Lynn

PubMed: 31337122
DOI: 10.3390/nu11071593

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 36 non-resistance trained men (age 24.0 (Interquartile Range (IQR) 22.0, 33.0) years, body mass index (BMI) 25.6 ± 4.0 kg·m-2)
Methods: randomized, double-blind, parallel study; participants consumed 2 × 250 mL of TC, POM, or an energy-matched fruit-flavored placebo drink twice daily for nine days; on day 5, eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors was performed
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: nine days
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Tart cherry juice (TC) and pomegranate juice (POM) have been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), but their effectiveness has not been compared. This randomized, double-blind, parallel study compared the effects of TC and POM on markers of EIMD. Thirty-six non-resistance trained men (age 24.0 (Interquartile Range (IQR) 22.0, 33.0) years, body mass index (BMI) 25.6 ± 4.0 kg·m^-2) were randomly allocated to consume 2 × 250 mL of: TC, POM, or an energy-matched fruit-flavored placebo drink twice daily for nine days. On day 5, participants undertook eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors of their non-dominant arm. Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h post-exercise, maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), creatine kinase (CK), and range of motion (ROM) were measured. The exercise protocol induced significant decreases in MIVC (p < 0.001; max decrease of 26.8%, 24 h post-exercise) and ROM (p = 0.001; max decrease of 6.8%, 72 h post-exercise) and significant increases in CK (p = 0.03; max increase 1385 U·L^-1, 96 h post-exercise) and DOMS (p < 0.001; max increase of 26.9 mm, 48 h post-exercise). However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05). These data suggest that in non-resistance trained men, neither TC nor POM enhance recovery from high-force eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors.

Research Insights

Pomegranate→Improved Range of Motion
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
Pomegranate→Improved Strength Maximal Isometric Voluntary Contraction
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
Pomegranate→Reduced Creatine Kinase Level
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
Pomegranate→Reduced Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
tart cherry→Improved Range of Motion
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
tart cherry→Improved Strength Maximal Isometric Voluntary Contraction
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
tart cherry→Reduced Creatine Kinase Level
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily
tart cherry→Reduced Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
However, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (main effect of group p > 0.05 or group x time interaction p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 × 250 mL twice daily