Scientists from the University of Central Lancashire and collaborating institutions have found that drinking Montmorency tart cherry and blueberry juice may help protect heart health.
Montmorency tart cherries are a variety of sour cherry commonly grown in Europe, Canada, and the United States—particularly in the Grand Traverse Bay region of northwest Michigan and in Door County, Wisconsin.
These cherries are considered nutritionally rich, providing dietary fiber along with essential micronutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium, manganese, and copper. They also contain smaller but meaningful amounts of B vitamins and magnesium.
Blueberries, meanwhile, are perennial flowering plants known for their blue or purple berries and are widely cultivated across the globe.
Previous research has linked blueberry consumption to a range of potential health benefits, including improved heart health, stronger bones, healthier skin, better blood pressure control, improved diabetes management, cancer prevention, and enhanced cognitive function.
In the current study, researchers investigated the effects of tart cherry and blueberry juice on cardiovascular and metabolic health over a 20-day supplementation period.
The trial involved 45 adults who were randomly assigned to receive tart cherry juice, blueberry juice, or a placebo. Participants consumed 60 mL of their assigned drink daily for 20 days. Researchers measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, psychological wellbeing, and sleep efficiency before and after the intervention.
The results showed no significant changes in systolic blood pressure across the groups. However, participants who consumed blueberry juice experienced notable improvements in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared to those in the placebo group.
In addition, psychological wellbeing scores improved significantly in the blueberry group compared to placebo. Given the well-established link between elevated blood cholesterol levels and heart disease risk, as well as the important role of psychological wellbeing in overall quality of life, the researchers suggest that cherry and blueberry juice may offer a practical dietary strategy for supporting cardiovascular health.
The findings were published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The study was led by Jonathan Sinclair and colleagues.
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