With increased circulation, muscles are more quick to recover, inflammation is reduced, and soreness is lessened after both endurance and resistance exercise. Thanks to tart cherries' ability to improve circulation, they can be helpful to speed recovery after intense exercise. Studies show that supplementing with tart cherry juice increases the body’s production of melatonin ( 8 ).Īdditionally, tart cherries contain tryptophan, an amino acid that is necessary for the body to produce melatonin. How exactly does tart cherry juice help sleep? Interestingly, tart cherries are rich in melatonin – which is a hormone that helps us fall asleep and stay asleep. Look no further than tart cherries to improve your rest.Īlthough there is limited research, smaller studies suggest that drinking tart cherry juice before bed can help people fall and stay asleep better than those who do not drink tart cherry juice ( 7 ).

Perhaps you’re looking for a natural way to improve your sleep quality. In particular, flavonoids, a specific class of antioxidants found in cherries, have been shown to improve the function of the immune system ( 6 ). However, tart cherries are especially rich in antioxidants and antiviral compounds to keep the immune system strong. Many fruits and vegetables offer impressive immune-boosting benefits. In addition to tart cherry juice reducing inflammation in those with arthritic conditions, it’s been suggested that tart cherries can reduce inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome, which is defined as a cluster of risk factors that are associated with the development of heart disease ( 5 ). In fact, a study in 2012 showed that drinking tart cherry juice daily for 3 weeks led to reduced pain in those with osteoarthritis ( 4 ). Many people report reduced arthritis-associated pain after drinking tart cherry juice on a regular basis. Studies show that drinking tart cherry juice can reduce inflammation and pain associated with conditions such as gout, which is a form of inflammatory arthritis ( 3 ). Anthocyanins have potent disease-fighting compounds, can improve nerve function, enhance the immune system, and protect all of our body’s cells from damage.Ĭompounds in tart cherry juice have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Perhaps the most prevalent antioxidant found in tart cherries is anthocyanins, a class of antioxidants that are found in red fruits and vegetables. It’s suggested that the high antioxidant content in tart cherries is the reason for many of its benefits. It’s also suggested that the anthocyanins, a specific category of antioxidants, help encourage healthy circulation.Ĭompared to other cherry juice varieties such as black cherries or sweet cherries, tart cherries have five times as many antioxidants ( 2 ).

One explanation is that the anti-inflammatory compounds in the juice help strengthen arteries which helps to enhance blood flow throughout the body. In fact, one study showed that people who consumed tart cherry juice an hour and half before exercise experienced significant improvements in endurance performance( 1 ).īut how exactly does tart cherry juice boost circulation?

With improved circulation, blood flow increases, therefore delivering more oxygen throughout the body. Perhaps one of the most exciting benefits – especially for athletes – is tart cherry juice’s ability to improve circulation. What are the Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice Tart cherry juice has less sugar than a standard cherry juice – like black cherry juice – and also contains way more health benefits, which will be discussed in the following sections of this article. The juice made from these cherries is refreshing and packs a powerful punch of nutrients, too. The cherries come from the Prunus cerasus tree that is native to southwest Asia and is found in some parts of Europe. Tart cherry juice is a sour juice made from a specific type of cherry also known as Montmorency cherries or dwarf cherries. It’s great for athletes as it helps boost circulation and can speed recovery after exercise.įor non-athletes, tart cherry juice is still something you can benefit from as it has a wide variety of impressive health benefits.Ĭontinue reading to understand what exactly tart cherry juice is, the benefits of tart cherry juice, as well as ways to add it into your diet. Tart cherry juice is a highly nutritious beverage.

Cherry benefits and side effects