The findings come from small trials conducted between 2018 and 2021, several industry-funded studies, and a 2020 review of 28 randomized controlled trials. Researchers quoted in those reports said larger trials are needed before tart cherry juice can be recommended as a treatment for any condition.
"Tart cherry juice may help support certain aspects of health, but it is not a treatment or a cure," said Sayer Ji, founder of GreenMedInfo.com, in a 2023 interview with NaturalNews founder Mike Adams [1]. Ji's database indexes hundreds of thousands of peer-reviewed biomedical studies, and he said the evidence for tart cherry remains promising but preliminary.
Sleep Duration Improved in Small Insomnia Study
A 2018 study found that adults over 50 with insomnia who drank 240 milliliters of tart cherry juice twice daily slept longer than participants who did not, according to a report published by NaturalNews.com [2]. The study was small, and its authors stated that the results require confirmation in larger trials.
Researchers said compounds in tart cherries, including melatonin, tryptophan, and procyanidin B2, may help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland in response to darkness, signaling the body to sleep and regulating circadian rhythm, according to a NaturalNews.com article by Willow Tohi [3]. Darkness stimulates melatonin secretion, while light inhibits it, the article stated.
Tart cherry juice contains melatonin and serotonin, hormones that regulate the sleep-wake cycle, according to a NaturalNews.com report published in July 2026 [4]. Other foods identified in the research literature as containing sleep-promoting compounds include those with tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin, according to a February 2026 report by Kevin Hughes published by NaturalNews.com [5].
Heart Health Tied to Antioxidant and Blood Pressure Effects
Plant compounds such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and flavonols found in tart cherries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, according to a 2008 study by Ara Kirakosyan and colleagues at the University of Michigan, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry [6]. The same research identified anthocyanins and phenolics as key components responsible for tart cherry's antioxidant capacity [6].
Tart cherry juice may lower blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, reducing heart attack and stroke risk, according to a NaturalNews.com report [7]. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, claiming more than 610,000 lives annually, the report stated.
Cherries are a stone fruit rich in flavonoid antioxidant compounds, according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman in his book The End of Heart Disease [8]. Flavonoids occur as pigments in fruits and flowers and are concentrated in their skins, giving rise to deep red and blue hues, Fuhrman wrote. A recent roundup of nutritional science identified tart cherry juice among five dietary additions linked to potential benefits for blood pressure regulation and post-exercise muscle recovery, according to a NaturalNews.com research overview [9].
Muscle Recovery and Endurance Show Benefits in Athletes
A 2020 review of 28 randomized controlled trials found that tart cherries may support muscle function and lower soreness, inflammation, and damage in athletes, according to a NaturalNews.com analysis [10]. The review concluded that the most reliable benefit was speeding up recovery of muscle strength after intense exercise.
Tart cherry concentrate consumed before exercise significantly improved endurance, according to the review. Drinking tart cherry juice may also accelerate muscle strength recovery after intense training, the review stated. A separate study conducted on 34 healthy participants examined cellular-level changes in muscle protein profiles after exercise, the report added [11].
Tart cherries have gained popularity as a nutraceutical, particularly Montmorency tart cherries, due to their abundance of polyphenols and antioxidant properties, according to an article on Mercola.com cited in the NaturalNews.com report [11]. Delayed onset muscle soreness, the deep ache felt after a challenging workout, is a signal of positive adaptation rather than a pathology to be suppressed with pharmaceuticals, according to a NaturalNews.com report on natural recovery tools [12].
Brain, Bone, and Arthritis Findings Remain Preliminary
A small 2019 study found that older adults who drank 2 cups of tart cherry juice daily for 12 weeks showed improved memory and learning scores, according to NaturalNews.com [2]. The study was industry-funded, and researchers noted that the findings require replication. A 2021 study in older women found that 2 cups of tart cherry juice daily reduced bone breakdown, but that study was also industry-funded, and the mechanism is still being researched, the report stated.
A 2019 review found that gout patients who consumed cherry juice or extract had fewer flares, according to NaturalNews.com [13]. A 2019 knee arthritis study found improved pain and mobility, but more research is needed, the report stated. Emerging research suggests that cherries, particularly tart varieties, may help alleviate conditions like arthritis, gout, and cardiovascular disease, according to a NaturalNews.com report [14].
Cherries contain phytochemicals including beta-sitosterol, anthocyanins, quercetin, amygdalin, and ellagic acid, as well as vitamins A, C, and B, and minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium, according to the book 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto [15].
Nutrients, Safety, and Consumption Guidance
One 8-ounce cup of tart cherry juice contains 159 calories, 36.9 grams of carbohydrates, 32.8 grams of sugar, 0.8 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of fat, and 12% of the Daily Value for copper, according to nutrition data cited by NaturalNews.com [16][2].
Most healthy people can drink tart cherry juice, but sorbitol may cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and cramps, officials said. People with cherry allergies should avoid it, and people with diabetes should drink it in moderation, according to the guidance. Select 100% pure tart cherry juice without added sugar, start with a 4-ounce serving, and consult a doctor, the guidance stated. More research is needed before recommending tart cherry juice for arthritis pain [16].
References
- Mike Adams. "Mike Adams interview with Sayer Ji". Brighteon.com. October 3, 2023.
- Laura Harris. "Cherries: A Superfood for Supporting Heart Health, Restful Sleep, and Exercise Recovery". NaturalNews.com. June 25, 2025.
- Willow Tohi. "Natural Sources of Melatonin May Support Sleep, Research Suggests". NaturalNews.com. July 28, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Tart cherry juice and probiotics: A duo that supports restful sleep and optimal gut health". July 8, 2026.
- Kevin Hughes. "Five Foods That May Help You Sleep Better, According to Research". NaturalNews.com. August 5, 2026.
- Ara Kirakosyan, E.M. Seymour, Daniel E. Urcuyo Llanes, Peter B. Kaufman, Steven F. Bolling. "Chemical profile and antioxidant capacities of tart cherry products". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2008.
- NaturalNews.com. "Study: Cherries Can Help Fight Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Other Inflammatory Diseases". NaturalNews.com. June 30, 2022.
- Dr. Joel Fuhrman. "The End of Heart Disease".
- NaturalNews.com. "Nutrition Research Suggests Five Dietary Additions for Blood Pressure, Muscle Recovery Support". April 19, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Tart cherry’s most reliable benefit is speeding up recovery of muscle strength after intense exercise, analysis finds". September 2, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Study: Tart Cherry Supplementation Alters Muscle Protein Profile After Exercise". June 11, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Nature’s Recovery Tools: 7 Proven Supplements for Healing Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage". March 6, 2026.
- Leslie Locklear. "Cherry Up: Discover the 6 Health Benefits of Cherries". NaturalNews.com. September 17, 2020.
- NaturalNews.com. "Cherries: Nature’s tiny powerhouse for fighting inflammation, improving sleep and heart health". April 2, 2026.
- David Grotto. "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life".
- NaturalNews.com. "Cherries: Reported Health Benefits, Nutritional Data, and Safety Concerns". August 5, 2026.
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