Studies suggest tart cherries are possibly more effective than aspirin at relieving pain and reducing inflammation. Their secret weapon? The antioxidant anthocyaninsTrusted Source, which help protect cells from mutation (and not the cool X-Men kind). These compounds also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help minimize swelling in exhausted muscles. In addition to helping to control inflammation, tart cherries (in raw, juice, and supplement form) may also reduce symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. One study found that drinking tart cherry juice for one week leading up to a strenuous running event (like a marathon) can help minimize post-run muscle pains and strains with a one-two punchTrusted Source. Another study found cherry supplements (1 pill had the anti-inflammatory content of about 100 cherries) reduced muscle soreness by 24% two days after a strenuous resistance workout. And yet another study found post-lift strength loss was reduced 18% among those who drank cherry juice before their workouts Trusted Source. That’s three cheers for cherries! While a recommended daily dosage has yet to be established, some experts say that eating 1.5 cups of tart cherries or drinking 1 cup of tart cherry juice per day could be enough to reap these muscle-saving benefits.

I have never tried this, has anyone else used this method? I stretch and do cold ice baths.