Scientists from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and several partnering institutions have found that drinking tart cherry juice may support healthier blood sugar levels.
Tart cherries—also known as sour cherries—are well known as a classic ingredient in desserts, especially cherry pie.
But they are also used in preserves, main dishes, salads, side dishes, and beverages. Compared to sweet cherries, tart cherries are juicier, more acidic, and generally better suited for cooking.
Nutritionally, tart cherries are rich in bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins and other phytochemicals with antioxidant and heart-protective properties.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments from the phenolic group responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors found in many fruits and vegetables. They are abundant in berries, currants, grapes, and certain tropical fruits.
In the current study, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of tart cherry juice on heart and metabolic health. They examined 10 published studies.
The analysis showed that tart cherry juice intake led to a strong reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS). This blood-sugar-lowering effect was particularly notable in adults aged 40 and older, studies with follow-up periods shorter than four weeks, and people who were overweight or obese.
Overall, tart cherry juice did not show significant effects on total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, insulin, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, or systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, when the researchers analyzed specific subgroups, they found some meaningful changes in insulin levels and cholesterol measures.
Based on these findings, the team concludes that tart cherry juice appears to have a generally favorable effect on blood sugar levels. Still, they emphasize the need for more long-term studies using different doses to better understand its full benefits.
The study was conducted by Seyedeh Parisa Moosavian and colleagues and published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
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