Tart Cherry Research
44 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
Effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance in elite soccer players: a systematic review
Abreu R et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2023)
Still, more well-designed research with elite soccer players is needed to improve support and advice regarding the use of dietary supplements for athletic performance enhancement.
- Nitrate-rich beetroot concentrate can attenuate performance decrease in the days following matches.
- Further investigation with sodium bicarbonate alone is necessary, as supplementation protocols with elite players included other substances.
- Finally, the available data does not support yohimbine supplementation or the use of Resurgex Plus® to improve athletic performance in elite soccer players.
Efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of all available treatments for insomnia in the elderly: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Samara MT et al. • Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (2020)
Insufficient evidence exists on which intervention is more efficacious for elderly patients with insomnia.
- Insufficient evidence exists on which intervention is more efficacious for elderly patients with insomnia.
- More RCTs, with longer duration, making more direct interventions among active treatments and presenting more outcomes are urgently needed.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of cherry consumption on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Eslami O et al. • Diabetes & metabolic syndrome (2022)
Incorporating cherries into the diet has no significant effect on blood pressure.
- The meta-analysis showed that cherry supplementation does not lead to a significant decrease in SBP or DBP.
- Incorporating cherries into the diet has no significant effect on blood pressure.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Tart cherries and exercise recovery: A systematic review
Vitale KC et al. • Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (2017)
Tart cherry supplementation aids recovery from strenuous exercise by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Consistent recovery benefits
- Reduced inflammation markers
- Faster return to baseline performance
Effect of food sources of nitrate, polyphenols, L-arginine and L-citrulline on endurance exercise performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
d'Unienville NMA et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021)
Foods rich in polyphenols and nitrate provide trivial benefits for endurance exercise performance, although these effects may be food dependent.
- No effect on exercise performance following consumption of foods rich in L-citrulline was identified (SMD=-0.03, p=0.24).
- Foods rich in polyphenols and nitrate provide trivial benefits for endurance exercise performance, although these effects may be food dependent.
- Highly trained endurance athletes do not appear to benefit from consuming nitrate-rich foods but may benefit from polyphenol consumption.
Nutritional interventions in treating menopause-related sleep disturbances: a systematic review
Polasek D et al. • Nutrition reviews (2024)
Despite the large heterogeneity in the studies and choice of intervention, the majority of the identified studies reported that a nutritional intervention did benefit sleep, and that it is mainly subjective sleep that is improved.
- Despite the large heterogeneity in the studies and choice of intervention, the majority of the identified studies reported that a nutritional intervention did benefit sleep, and that it is mainly subjective sleep that is improved.
- More high-quality, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials of the identified nutritional interventions are necessary.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of tart cherry juice consumption on cardio-metabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials
Moosavian SP et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2022)
In summary, this meta-analysis showed that tart cherry juice mostly had a favorable effect on FBG levels.
- The pooled analysis revealed that tart cherry juice consumption led to a significant reduction in the fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels (WMD = -0.51 mg/dl [95% CI: -0.98, -0.06]).
- In summary, this meta-analysis showed that tart cherry juice mostly had a favorable effect on FBG levels.
- However, further RCTs with long-term intervention with different doses of administration are needed.
The beneficial effect of tart cherry on plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (not recovery after exercise): A systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials
Gholami A et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2022)
Our results confirmed a significant decreasing effect of TC on CRP.
- Our results confirmed a significant decreasing effect of TC on CRP.
- Regarding IL-6 and TNF-α, our study did not present any significant effect of TC.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of Tart Cherry Concentrate on Endurance Exercise Performance: A Meta-analysis
Gao R et al. • Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2020)
Key teaching pointsTart cherry concentrate has a significant benefit for endurance exercise performance.Tart cherry concentrate may enhance endurance exercise performance via its low glycemic index, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacity, and blood flow enhancing effects.
- Interventions included tart cherry supplementation and placebo ingested before, and/or on the day of exercise.
- Ten studies were included (totaling 127 males and 20 females).
- Key teaching pointsTart cherry concentrate has a significant benefit for endurance exercise performance.Tart cherry concentrate may enhance endurance exercise performance via its low glycemic index, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacity, and blood flow enhancing effects.
Tart Cherry Supplementation and Recovery From Strenuous Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hill JA et al. • International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism (2021)
These results indicate that the consumption of a TC supplement can aid aspects of recovery from strenuous exercise.
- Tart cherry supplementation had a small beneficial effect in reducing muscle soreness (effect size [ES] = -0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.87, -0.02]).
- A moderate beneficial effect was observed for recovery of muscular strength (ES = -0.78, 95% CI [-1.11, -0.46]).
- A small effect was observed for both C-reactive protein (ES = -0.46, 95% CI [-0.93, -0.00]) and Interleukin-6 (ES = -0.35, 95% CI [-0.68, -0.02].
Effect of Polyphenol Supplementation on Post-Exercise Recovery in Adult Male Soccer Players: A Systematic Review
Silva Díaz V, Castillo-Paredes A, Iman Torres AJ, Alves Vargas AE, Guzmán-Muñoz E, Narrea Vargas JJ. • Nutrients (2026)
Polyphenol supplementation, particularly tart cherry juice, beetroot juice, and curcumin, may improve perceptual recovery in adult male soccer players, particularly by reducing muscle soreness and enhancing subjective well-being.
- Certainty of evidence was low for most outcomes and very low for oxidative stress and functional recovery.
- Conclusions : Polyphenol supplementation, particularly tart cherry juice, beetroot juice, and curcumin, may improve perceptual recovery in adult male soccer players, particularly by reducing muscle soreness and enhancing subjective well-being.
- However, evidence on physiological biomarkers and functional recovery remains inconsistent and of low certainty.
Nutritional Modulation of Sleep Latency, Duration, and Efficiency: A Randomized, Repeated-Measures, Double-Blind Deception Study
Langan-Evans C et al. • Medicine and science in sports and exercise (2023)
Data demonstrate that using the proposed blend of novel nutritional ingredients during free living conditions reduced sleep onset latency, increased total sleep duration, and increased sleep efficiency, leading to reduced perceptions of morning sleepiness.
- The intervention trial reduced sleep onset latency (-24 ± 25 min; P = 0.002), increased total sleep time (22 ± 32 min; P = 0.01), and increased sleep efficiency (2.4% ± 3.9%; P = 0.03), while also reducing morning sleepiness ( P = 0.02).
- Throughout the study, 75% of participants remained blinded to sleep assessment as a primary outcome measure, with 56% subjectively indicating improved sleep during the intervention trial.
- Data demonstrate that using the proposed blend of novel nutritional ingredients during free living conditions reduced sleep onset latency, increased total sleep duration, and increased sleep efficiency, leading to reduced perceptions of morning sleepiness.
Commonly Used Dose of Montmorency Tart Cherry Powder Does Not Improve Sleep or Inflammation Outcomes in Individuals with Overweight or Obesity
Tucker RM et al. • Nutrients (2024)
These results suggest studies of individuals with overweight and obesity should test higher doses of MTC than those currently recommended.
- These results suggest studies of individuals with overweight and obesity should test higher doses of MTC than those currently recommended.
- Published in Nutrients (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Efficacy and safety of tart cherry supplementary citrate mixture on gout patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled study
Wang C et al. • Arthritis research & therapy (2023)
The TaCCi mixture had similar efficacy and safety on urine alkalization and sUA-lowering as the citrate mixture and sodium bicarbonate in patients with gout.
- The TaCCi mixture had similar efficacy and safety on urine alkalization and sUA-lowering as the citrate mixture and sodium bicarbonate in patients with gout.
- However, the TaCCi mixture resulted in greater improvements in UACR and CRP, which suggests that tart cherry supplements may provide additional benefits for renal protection and reduce inflammation in gout, particularly when starting ULT.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of Acute and One-Week Supplementation with Montmorency Tart Cherry Powder on Food-Induced Uremic Response and Markers of Health: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Gonzalez DE et al. • Nutrients (2024)
Registered clinical trial NCT04837274.
- Data were analyzed using general linear model (GLM) statistics with repeated measures, pairwise comparisons, and percentage change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
- Results: No statistically significant interaction effects or differences between treatments were seen in uric acid levels or PK profiles.
- Analysis of percent changes from baseline revealed that TC ingestion reduced the blood glucose levels following the ingestion of the high-purine meal (-4.2% [-7.7, -0.7], p = 0017).
Acute Dosing Strategy with Vistula Tart Cherries for Recovery of Strenuous Exercise-A Feasibility Study
Squires E et al. • Nutrients (2024)
Vistula TC did not improve recovery when taken acutely following a bout of damaging exercise to the elbow flexors.
- There were no significant differences between the conditions for any of the variables (MVC, VAS, PPT, ROM, and girth, p > 0.3).
- The TC group did not recover at an accelerated rate compared to the placebo.
- This study provides initial insights into the use of powdered Vistula TC and its effect following strenuous (damaging) exercise bouts.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Anthocyanins after Administration of Tart Cherry Juice to Individuals with Gout
Brunetti L et al. • Molecular nutrition & food research (2023)
Of the bioavailable anthocyanins, C3GR achieves the highest plasma concentration in a dose-dependent manner.
- Of the bioavailable anthocyanins, C3GR achieves the highest plasma concentration in a dose-dependent manner.
- A popPK predicts anthocyanin exposure, and an IDR produces reasonable approximations of PD effects.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Influence of Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus, cv Montmorency) Concentrate Supplementation for 3 Months on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Kimble R et al. • Nutrients (2021)
In conclusion, MC has no influence on cardiometabolic indices in middle-aged adults.
- Clinical trial examining Tart Cherry efficacy
- Published in Nutrients (2021)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry and Blueberry Juice on Cardiometabolic and Other Health-Related Outcomes: A Three-Arm Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial
Sinclair J et al. • International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
Given the clear association between lipid concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as the importance of psychological wellbeing to health-related quality of life, this investigation indicates that it could be an effective approach to assist in managing cardiometabolic disease.
- The primary outcome, which was systolic blood pressure, and secondary measures, including anthropometric, energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, hematological, diastolic blood pressure/resting heart rate, psychological wellbeing, and sleep efficacy, were measured before and after the intervention.
- Furthermore, psychological wellbeing indices measured using the Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and COOP WONCA improved statistically in the blueberry arm compared to placebo.
- Given the clear association between lipid concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as the importance of psychological wellbeing to health-related quality of life, this investigation indicates that it could be an effective approach to assist in managing cardiometabolic disease.
Acute Ingestion of Montmorency Tart Cherry Reduces Serum Uric Acid but Has no Impact on High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein or Oxidative Capacity
Hillman AR et al. • Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) (2021)
This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04497077, 7/29/2020, retrospectively registered.
- Overall, there was an average 8% decrease in UA.
- There was no significant change over time in hsCRP (p = 0.64) or ORAC (p = 0.42) or between groups in hsCRP (p = 0.47) or ORAC (p = 0.21).
- Our data indicates tart cherry ingestion can transiently decrease UA and not maintained with continued supplementation.