Sour cherry

The sour cherry is a fruit. The fruit and stem of the sour cherry are used to make medicine. Of the more than 270 different types of sour cherries, only a few are commercially important. Sour cherry products are used for osteoarthritis, muscle pain, exercise-induced muscle damage, gout and insomnia, as well as to increase urine production and aid digestion. In food production, sour cherry products are used as flavorings. In industrial production, sour cherries are used to make syrup for medicines with an unpleasant taste.

How do sour cherry products work?

Sour ch erries contain ingredients that are believed to reduce inflammation. Tart cherries also contain melatonin, which helps regulate sleep patterns.

How effective are tart cherry products?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of tart cherry products for sleep disorders. Some studies show that the consumption of 250 ml of a specific juice consisting of a mixture of tart cherries and apple juice (Tru Cherry Cheribundi, CherryPharm, Inc., USA) could slightly improve the sleep rhythm in people with sleep problems.

There is also a lack of scientific information on the effectiveness of tart cherry products for arthritis and gout, as well as their use to increase urine output and improve digestion. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of tart cherry products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Tartcherries are safe and harmless for most adults when consumed as food or used as medicine. However, it is not known whether tart cherry stems or nutritional supplements containing tart cherry stems are safe and harmless.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tart cherries are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women when consumed in normal amounts. However, it is not known whether medicinal amounts or products containing tart cherry stems are safe during pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions

At this time, there is no information on interactions of tart cherry products with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of tart cherry products depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for different tart cherry products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

1. Burkhardt S, Tan DX, Manchester LC, et al. Detection and quantification of the antioxidant melatonin in Montmorency and Balaton tart cherries (Prunus cerasus). J Agric Food Chem 2001;49:4898-902. view abstract.
2. Howatson G, Bell PG, Tallent J, et al. Effect of tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality. Eur J Nutr 2011;51:909-16. view abstract.
3. National Genetics Resources Program. The Germplasm Resources Information Network. Available at: http://www.ars-grin.gov (Accessed February 24, 2000).
4. Pigeon WR, Carr M, Gorman C, Perlis ML. Effects of a tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. J Med Food 2010;13:579-83. view abstract.
5. Wang H, Nair MG, Strasburg GM, et al. Novel antioxidant compounds from tart cherries (Prunus cerasus). J Nat Prod 1999;62:86-8. View abstract.