Benefits
Exercise recovery
Tart cherry reduced markers of muscle damage and soreness and supported faster recovery after intense or endurance exercise in clinical studies.
Uric acid and joints
The anthocyanins in tart cherry help lower uric acid, which is relevant to joint comfort and gout-prone individuals.
Sleep support
Tart cherry contains natural melatonin and is studied for modestly improving sleep duration and quality.
Mechanism of action
Anti-inflammatory anthocyanins
Cherry anthocyanins lower inflammatory and oxidative-stress markers that drive post-exercise soreness and joint discomfort.
Melatonin and uric acid
Natural melatonin supports sleep timing, while the polyphenols reduce uric acid production and support its clearance.
Clinical trials
Randomized study of powdered Montmorency tart cherry supplementation on endurance exercise recovery. (Levers et al. 2016, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Active adults.
Tart cherry supplementation reduced markers of muscle damage and soreness and supported recovery after exercise versus placebo.