Cyclists Competing in Tour de France Rally Behind Mysterious "Elixir"
In the gruelling world of professional cycling, where every second counts and the body is pushed to its limits, recovery is a critical factor for success. Scientific research supports the claim that tart cherry juice aids recovery after muscle-damaging training in cyclists, including those competing in the Tour de France.
The rich content of polyphenols and anthocyanins in tart cherry juice, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is primarily responsible for this recovery boost. Tart cherry juice contains anthocyanins that reduce muscle damage markers such as creatine kinase and help limit the inflammatory response during and after intense exercise.
Studies have shown that tart cherry juice lessens delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and enables athletes to regain muscle strength and function more quickly post-exercise. The importance of timing in consuming tart cherry juice cannot be overstated. Consistent intake before and immediately after exercise maximises recovery benefits.
Preparation with supplementation in the days leading up to intense events enhances endurance performance and muscle protection under fatigue. Top Tour de France cyclists, such as Tadej Pogacar, consume tart cherry juice right after finishing stages to take advantage of the muscles’ heightened receptivity to recovery nutrients.
Multiple studies involving endurance athletes have demonstrated improved recovery outcomes with tart cherry juice supplementation, including reduced inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, faster strength recovery, and better performance in time trials. In fact, elite cyclists in the Tour de France use tart cherry juice as a "magic potion" for recovery, supported by sports nutrition experts and team medical staff.
However, not all cyclists find the same benefits. Phil Bauhaus, a sprinter for Bahrain-Victorious, did not notice any particular effect from the cherry juice, stating that any noticeable improvement is banned. The cherry juice consumed by Tadej Pogacar and other Tour-de-France riders is not ordinary supermarket juice, but one enriched with sour cherry extract and additional carbohydrates.
Cherry juice is also believed to aid in falling asleep due to its melatonin content. Tim Podlogar, nutrition advisor for the Swiss team Tudor Pro Cycling, supports the use of cherry juice. The Velo portal interviewed Tim Podlogar about the benefits of cherry juice. Cherry juice is popular among many Tour-de-France riders, not just this year.
The timing of intake is crucial for the effectiveness of cherry juice in aiding recovery. The enriched cherry juice is considered a "wonder drug" for recovery among some Tour-de-France riders. Jon Greenwell, team doctor of the US team EF Education-EasyPost, recommends that riders drink their cherry juice immediately after crossing the finish line for optimal benefits.
Pascal Ackermann, another Tour-de-France rider, finds cherry juice appealing after races. The cherry juice used by Tour-de-France riders is specifically formulated to contain enough polyphenols for adequate recovery. The source of this information is ntv.de and tno/sid.
In the realm of other sports, such as health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, tart cherry juice is also gaining popularity for its recovery benefits, particularly in cycling. The science behind its effectiveness lies in the polyphenols and anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to a faster recovery after intense exercise, as observed in cyclists competing in events like the Tour de France.
