Black Cherry & Tart Cherry

Black Cherry Supplements

Cherries are the fruit of the Prunus genus plant species, which yield the following fruits: cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, almonds, and many others. Although we tend to simply refer to them as “cherries”, there are, in reality, over 1,000 varieties grown in North America. Among these are two well-known types; the species derived from the Prunus avium (the sweet or black cherry) and those derived from the Prunus cerasus (tart cherry). While black cherries and tart cherries have slightly different nutritional compositions, they are both nutrient-dense foods and supplements rich in anthocyanins, quercetin, hydroxycinnamates, potassium, carotenoids, and melatonin; they also supply ample potassium and Vitamin C.

Black cherries and tart cherries also share many of their medicinal properties, most notably, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, as well as diuretic properties. When it comes to medicinal applications, the bark, fruit, and stem of cherry trees each offer their own unique health benefits. For instance, the bark of the black cherry tree is a cough suppressant and is wonderful to help treat symptoms of cold and flu including cough and bronchitis, while the cherry itself has potent diuretic and mild laxative properties and is wonderful to treat gout, and associated pain and inflammation.

Benefits of Black Cherries

• Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory
• Digestive Aid & Liver Protectant
• Enhances Exercise Recovery
• Naturally Relieves Symptoms of Gout & Joint Pain
• Packed with Antioxidant Nutrients, Phytonutrients, and Anthocyanins

Who Needs Black Cherry Supplements?

In supplement form, traditional cherries are used to improve circulation, enhance the body's natural detoxification processes, as well as help relieve exhaustion and fatigue, and improve skin health. Naturopaths often recommend cherry supplements for their powerful antioxidant properties to help prevent free radical damage, temper inflammation, and as a uric acid cleanse to treat uric acid-related pain, swelling & inflammation as seen in gout, as well as for the relief of arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions. They are also frequently recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to build qi (the vital force, or flow, which must be unimpeded for health), as well as to balance beneficial gut bacteria, promote bowel regularity, relieve digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation, and stimulate appetite. Thanks to their natural content in melatonin, cherry supplements can also be used to promote relaxation, as well as relieve insomnia, and irritability. Finally, cherry supplements are also widely used to help soothe oxidative stress in muscles, especially after physical exercise, and support quicker muscle recovery.

Black Cherry Supplements

Potencies

Cherry supplements are sold in potencies anywhere from 500 to 3500 mg and more. The best potency for you will depend on the purpose for which you are taking the supplement (antioxidant protection, pain relief, exercise recovery, etc.)

Forms & Formats

Cherries can be purchased as a liquid extract, in softgels, or capsules. They can also be found as juice concentrates and are also frequently added to combination herbal blends or workout supplements.

Final Thoughts

In order to get the most out of your cherry supplement, look for one that is Organic, non-GMO, and uses the whole fruit to multiply health benefits. Ideally, you should also look for one that is concentrated and standardized to 0.8 anthocyanins, these are the key bioactive compounds in cherries that are responsible for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Back to Top ↑