Tart cherry: a new ally against inflammation and metabolic disorders

Two clinical studies open up new perspectives for the functional use of Montmorency tart cherries in inflammation prevention and metabolic health management.

Until recently, tart cherries – particularly the Montmorency variety – were mainly known in the sports world for their benefits on muscle recovery.

Today, however, new clinical studies reveal their potential in counteracting systemic inflammation and supporting metabolism.

Clinical studies on urate and inflammation

In two recent studies conducted on healthy subjects, researchers investigated the effect of supplementation with concentrated tart cherry extracts on certain biomarkers related to oxidative stress and inflammation.

The first study – a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial – involved 25 adults with slightly elevated fasting uric acid levels.

Participants consumed a dose of concentrated Montmorency tart cherry powder (CherryPURE®) together with a purine-rich meal, in order to assess potential effects on blood glucose and inflammation.

The results showed no significant effect on postprandial uric acid levels, but a 4.2% reduction in post-meal blood glucose compared to placebo was observed, along with slight changes in the levels of certain inflammatory cytokines.

Second study: concrete results on CRP and urate

The second study, also randomized and placebo-controlled, used a standardized European tart cherry extract (NordicCherry®).

Ten healthy subjects took 500 mg per day of the extract for four weeks.

At the end of the intervention, a significant reduction of 37.4% in urate levels and a 23% decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation, were observed.

According to the researchers, regular intake of the extract showed a tangible impact on reducing inflammation and regulating uric acid metabolism, suggesting a potential role for tart cherries in the prevention of chronic inflammation and the promotion of metabolic health.

A functional fruit worth rediscovering

While the first study suggests modest and limited effects, the second provides stronger evidence in support of tart cherries as a functional ingredient capable of contributing to systemic well-being, even in healthy individuals.

Thanks to their polyphenol content, tart cherries are confirmed not only as beneficial for physical recovery, but also as a promising daily support in the prevention of mild inflammatory and metabolic conditions.

A natural ally for those who view nutrition as a key to long-term health.

Source: www.supplysidesj.com

Image source: Onlymyhealth.com 

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