Tart cherry juice, the star of the viral “Sleepy Girl Mocktail,” has been linked to better sleep, cognitive health, and muscle recovery.
Drinking this beverage may also help reduce gut inflammation, a new study shows. People with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), reported improved symptoms after drinking 60 milliliters of tart cherry juice daily for six weeks.
What Researchers Found
The new study, published in the journal Life, suggests that people with ulcerative colitis may benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of tart cherry juice.
Participants said their bowel symptoms, emotional health, and social function improved after drinking tart cherry juice for six weeks. Fecal calprotectin levels, a marker of intestinal inflammation, were also lower in the tart cherry group than in those in the placebo group.
“This shows that natural anti-inflammatory supplements can be effective agents alongside traditional disease management modalities,” Jonathan Sinclair, DSc, PhD, first author and reader in Sport Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire’s School of Health, Social Work and Sport, told Verywell in an email.
Why Tart Cherry Juice Might Improve Gut Health
Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, a kind of polyphenol. Anthocyanins give cherries their dark red color. Many other fruits and vegetables, like grapes, plums, and cabbage, also contain this pigment.
Bacteria in the gut break down anthocyanins and other polyphenols, or plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But more research is needed to understand the full effect of anthocyanins on gut health.
Until larger studies are conducted, it is “inconclusive” to say that drinking the tart cherry juice will help with gut health, said Dolores Woods, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian with UTHealth Houston.
Limitations of the Study
The findings came from one small study with 35 participants that was partially funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute.
“Tart cherries themselves are a healthy food. With the juice, I think that a lot of times there is that placebo effect. If you feel like something’s going to help you, it does,” Woods said.
A 2021 study, also funded by the same group, did not find any gut health benefits for healthy participants who drank tart cherry juice.
Potential Side Effects of Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherry juice has high sugar content, and a high-sugar diet could cause abdominal discomfort in people with ulcerative colitis, Woods said.
Individuals taking certain anti-inflammatory drugs or blood thinners should speak with a healthcare provider before adding tart cherry juice to their diet, since this may interact with their medications, she added.
Woods suggests eating purple or red whole fruits to get anthocyanins if you’re looking for the same benefits. Unlike juices, whole fruits contain fiber that’s important for digestion.
What This Means For You
Tart cherry juice may offer anti-inflammatory benefits for people with ulcerative colitis, but larger studies are needed to confirm these effects. If you are considering adding tart cherry juice to your diet, talk to your healthcare provider first, especially if you take medications or are concerned about its sugar content. Eating whole red or purple fruits could be a healthier alternative to get similar plant-based nutrients.
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The Health Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice: Insights and Research
Introduction
Tart cherry juice has gained attention for its potential health benefits, particularly its role in sleep improvement, cognitive health, and muscle recovery. Emerging research suggests that it may also contribute to reducing gut inflammation.
Recent Findings on Ulcerative Colitis
A recent study published in the journal Life indicates that daily consumption of 60 milliliters of tart cherry juice for six weeks may improve symptoms for individuals suffering from ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Participants reported enhancements in bowel symptoms, emotional well-being, and social functionality. Notably, the study found reduced levels of fecal calprotectin, a marker indicating intestinal inflammation, in those consuming tart cherry juice compared to a placebo group.
Dr. Jonathan Sinclair, a researcher from the University of Central Lancashire, remarked, “This shows that natural anti-inflammatory supplements can be effective agents alongside traditional disease management modalities.”
Why Tart Cherry Juice Might Help
Tart cherries are high in anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol that gives them their rich red color. These compounds possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to support gut health. However, further research is necessary to fully understand their effects on the digestive system.
Registered dietitian Dolores Woods highlighted that while the initial findings are promising, the evidence remains inconclusive until larger studies confirm the benefits.
Limitations of Current Research
While the recent study shows potential benefits, it is limited by the small sample size of only 35 participants and was partially funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute. Woods noted, “Tart cherries themselves are a healthy food. With the juice, I think that a lot of times there is that placebo effect.” The findings of a previous study conducted in 2021, also funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute, did not find similar benefits for gut health among healthy participants consuming tart cherry juice.
Potential Side Effects
While tart cherry juice can be beneficial, it is important to note that it contains a high sugar content, which may lead to abdominal discomfort for people with ulcerative colitis. Woods advises individuals on certain anti-inflammatory medications or blood thinners to consult healthcare providers before incorporating tart cherry juice into their diets.
For those seeking similar benefits without the sugar content found in juice, consuming whole purple or red fruits is recommended due to their added fiber, which is crucial for digestion.
Conclusion: What This Means for Your Health
In summary, tart cherry juice may provide anti-inflammatory benefits for those with ulcerative colitis, but further studies are necessary to substantiate these findings. Consulting with a healthcare professional is advisable before adding tart cherry juice to your diet. Healthy alternatives like whole red or purple fruits can offer comparable nutritional benefits.
