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Tart Cherry Side Effects & Safety

Evidence:Moderate
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Very well tolerated — essentially a food product
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort from the juice form (sorbitol content)
  • Caloric content of juice (approximately 130 calories per 240ml serving)
  • Sugar content in juice form may be a concern for diabetics
  • Dark red staining of teeth and clothing (juice form)

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Anticoagulants — tart cherry has mild COX-inhibiting activity similar to aspirin
  • Diabetes medications — juice form contains natural sugars; capsule form is preferable for diabetics
  • No significant drug interactions at standard supplemental doses

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 60ml concentrate/day or 960mg extract (no significant adverse effects reported at these levels)

Full Tart Cherry Guide

References

  1. RCTHowatson G, Bell PG, Tallent J, Mayuuf B, McHugh MP, Ellis JA (2012). Effect of tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality. European Journal of Nutrition. DOI PubMed
  2. RCTPigeon WR, Carr M, Gorman C, Perlis ML (2010). Effects of a tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. Journal of Medicinal Food. DOI PubMed
  3. RCTLosso JN, Finley JW, Karki N, et al. (2018). Pilot study of tart cherry juice for the treatment of insomnia and investigation of mechanisms. American Journal of Therapeutics. DOI PubMed
  4. Kelley DS, Adkins Y, Laugero KD (2018). A review of the health benefits of cherries. Nutrients. DOI PubMed
  5. Norouzzadeh M, Hasan Rashedi M, Shahinfar H, Rahideh ST (2024). Dose-dependent effect of tart cherry on selected cardiometabolic risk factors: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. DOI PubMed
  6. Moosavian SP, Maharat M, Chambari M, Moradi F, et al. (2022). Effects of tart cherry juice consumption on cardio-metabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.. Complementary therapies in medicine. DOI PubMed
  7. Meta-analysisGholami A, Amirkalali B, Baradaran HR, Hariri M (2022). 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.. Complementary therapies in medicine. DOI PubMed
Show 5 more references
  1. Meta-analysisHill JA, Keane KM, Quinlan R, Howatson G (2021). Tart Cherry Supplementation and Recovery From Strenuous Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. DOI PubMed
  2. Gao R, Chilibeck PD (2020). Effect of Tart Cherry Concentrate on Endurance Exercise Performance: A Meta-analysis.. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. DOI PubMed
  3. Daab W, Bouzid MA, Nassis GP, Arumugam A, et al. (2026). Effects of Tart Cherry Juice Supplementation on Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Sports medicine - open. DOI PubMed
  4. Horiuchi M, Oliver SJ (2025). Post-Exercise Hypotension after Exercising in Hypoxia with and Without Tart Cherry Supplementation.. High altitude medicine & biology. DOI PubMed
  5. Gonzalez DE, Kendra JA, Dickerson BL, Yoo C, et al. (2024). 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.. Nutrients. DOI PubMed