Tart cherries are bursting with the antioxidant benefits of five different anthocyanins, as noted by the University of Michigan Health System. Antioxidants from tart cherries are readily absorbed and keep your bloodstream antioxidants elevated for up to 12 hours after you've eaten them. A study published in the August 2004 issue of the journal "Behavioural Brain Research" found that tart cherry anthocyanins may reduce joint pain and inflammation. In the animal study, doses of 400 milligrams per kilogram body weight of anthocyanins produced comparable benefits to the prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. Researchers concluded that the pain-relieving benefits of tart cherry may due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of anthocyanin compounds.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Metabolic benefits of tart cherry juice may include improved insulin, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, according to the National College of Natural Medicine. A study published in the October 2009 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" found that anthocyanins in tart cherries influence the genes that control the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In the animal study, high-fat diets supplemented with 1 percent tart cherry powder resulted in lower cholesterol levels, decreased abdominal fat and decreased inflammation. Researchers conclude that tart cherries decrease risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Exercise Recovery

Muscle recovery time after exercise may be quicker with tart cherry juice concentrate, according to M Lambercht, editor of the book "Acute Topics in Sport Nutrition." A study of long distance runners found that daily consumption of tart cherry juice concentrate for 5 days before, during and two days following a marathon resulted in improved strength, decreased inflammation, decreased levels of oxidized lipids and reduced recovery time. Researchers believed that the antioxidant effects of tart cherry juice improve muscle recovery following strenuous exercise. The study was published in the December 2010 issue of "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports".

Melatonin

Tart cherries are a good natural source of melatonin, the brain hormone that regulates your body's internal clock. Melatonin is also an effective remedy for some forms of insomnia, according to CoxHealth. A study published in the December 2012 issue of the "European Journal of Nutrition" found that 7 days of supplementation with tart cherry juice improved volunteers' length of sleep and ability to fall asleep and remain asleep. Researchers concluded that tart cherry juice may be beneficial for improving sleep quality and managing sleep disorders.

Cherry Juice and Gout

Anthocyanins have the same properties of aspirins, that’s why cherry juice for gout helps fight the pain associated with it, and besides some claim that it helps the kidneys excrete uric acid, and even prevent uric acid overproduction by the body; also another component of cherry juice is potassium, which is capable of aiding the kidneys to do their job.

It acts like an alkalizer to balance something called the PH levels in the body, to make the urine alkaline, which is the opposite to acidic, making it easier for the kidneys to expel it out and avoid the crystallization of this acid, which crystals embed inside the articulations provoking excruciating pain.

Cherries help ease arthritis pain

For those who suffer from arthritis and gout, you will be relieved to find out that adding cherry juice to your diet can greatly decrease the intense pain associated with those ailments. Excess uric acid in the blood is the culprit behind the excruciating pain that causes swelling, tenderness and inflammation. Cherry juice can also help reduce painful inflammation by decreasing the amount of C-reactive protein produced