Basics: short version, verdict first People Molecules Peptides Biomarkers Studies Stem Cells Editorial Methodology
← All ingredients
Antioxidant / Anti-inflammatory

Tart Cherry · Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus)

A natural source of melatonin and anthocyanins with anti-inflammatory and sleep-supporting properties.

B
Evidence grade
Human RCTs, biomarker outcomes

Short answer

Good evidence for sleep improvement and exercise recovery. Safe and well-tolerated. Concentration matters: look for standardized extracts.

Product and dose overview

Tart Cherry (Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus)) is a antioxidant / anti-inflammatory with evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. We track 1 products containing Tart Cherry. Typical doses range from 500 to 500 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 7.7 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $45.00 per month.

Evidence grade: B Products in database: 1 Category: Antioxidant / Anti-inflammatory

Top Tart Cherry products

ProductBrandDosePrice/mo3rd-party testedScore
SureSleepDoNotAge500 mg$45.00Yes7.7

Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.

What it is

Tart cherry is rich in natural melatonin and anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins. It is studied for sleep, muscle recovery, and inflammation.

Why people take it

The natural melatonin content may improve sleep quality, and the anthocyanins may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

Our verdict

Good evidence for sleep improvement and exercise recovery. Safe and well-tolerated. Concentration matters: look for standardized extracts.

Structure & class

Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) contains melatonin (~13.5 ng/g), anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside), and other polyphenols with documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Mechanism & clinical data

Multiple RCTs demonstrate reduced muscle soreness and improved recovery after strenuous exercise. Sleep studies show modest improvements in sleep duration and quality, attributed to natural melatonin content.

Pharmacokinetics

Anthocyanins have a plasma half-life of approximately 2.5 hours. Melatonin follows its own pharmacokinetics.

Dose & forms

Trial dose
480 mg
/ day
Range in trials
240 to 960 mg
/ day
Common forms
Concentrate, Capsule, Powder

What to watch out for

Most products use concentrate. Sugar content in juice form can be high. Standardization to anthocyanin content varies.

Where this dose comes from

The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.

When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.

Regulatory status

EUPermitted as food
USGRAS
UKPermitted
CAPermitted as NHP

Timeline

Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Tart Cherry, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.

  • 2025-04 Regulatory single source
    EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claims
    A Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in April 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
  • 2024-06 Regulatory confirmed
    EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risks
    The HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
    Source →
  • 2012 Research milestone
    Howatson et al. 2012 (Eur J Nutr)
    Tart cherry juice improved sleep duration and quality in adults with insomnia.
    Source →
  • 2006-12 Regulatory confirmed
    EU Health Claims Regulation adopted
    Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
    Source →
  • 1997 Regulatory confirmed
    EU introduces the Novel Food Regulation
    Regulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
    Source →

Landmark studies

Found in these products (1)

All products in our catalog that contain Tart Cherry, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.

DoNotAge
SureSleep
Adaptogen
Ingredients listed
4 ingredients listedlargest listed: L-Tryptophan 1,000 mg
Price per serving
$1.50$45.00 · 30 servings
Testing
3rd-party listed · public lab certificate

Elemental vs compound: check label

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 7.7/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$1.73
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with donotage.org
Editorial guides

Buying guides and comparisons

Neighbouring molecules

Related ingredients

See all in Antioxidant / Anti-inflammatory →

Molecules in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Tart Cherry in our catalogue.

MagnesiumAstacked together in 1 productL-TryptophanBstacked together in 1 productL-TheanineBstacked together in 1 product
Product shelves
See all in Adaptogen (1)

See Tart Cherry in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.

View Tart Cherry on the Longevity Map →

Frequently asked questions

What is Tart Cherry?

Tart cherry is rich in natural melatonin and anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins. It is studied for sleep, muscle recovery, and inflammation.

What dose of Tart Cherry should I take?

The trial dose in published human studies is 480 mg per day, with a range of 240 to 960 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.

Is Tart Cherry safe?

Most products use concentrate. Sugar content in juice form can be high. Standardization to anthocyanin content varies.

What is the best Tart Cherry supplement?

We track 1 products containing Tart Cherry. The top-ranked product scores 7.7 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.

What is the evidence grade for Tart Cherry?

Tart Cherry has evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.

Independently checked

Data verification

Evidence grade
B
Human RCTs, biomarker outcomes
Research dose
480 mg
Products tracked
1
Updated continuously
Safety signal
Most products use concentrate. Sugar content in juice for...

Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.