At a Glance
- Best Overall Zazzee USDA Organic Tart Cherry – 300 mg of organic 10:1 extract per capsule, with only organic rice powder and a plant capsule added.Review ↓
- Best Higher-Dose Organic Health’s Harmony Organic Tart Cherry – 500 mg of organic 10:1 extract in one capsule.Review ↓
- Most Concentrated Toniiq Tart Cherry 52:1 – 1,000 mg of 52:1 extract per serving.Review ↓
- Best Montmorency Whole Fruit Nature’s Way Tart Cherry Ultra – 1.2 g of whole Montmorency cherry concentrate, the variety used in most studies.Review ↓
- Best Standardized Extract Solaray Triple Strength Tart Cherry – 680 mg of extract with a guaranteed 20.4 mg of anthocyanins.Review ↓
- Best Budget Nutricost Tart Cherry – 300 mg of 10:1 extract per capsule and 240 servings per bottle.Review ↓
- Highest 10:1 Dose Nature’s Craft Extra Strength Tart Cherry – 750 mg of 10:1 extract per serving.Review ↓
- Best Gummy Atlantis Tart Cherry Gummies – a chewable option with celery seed, but with 5 g of added sugar.Review ↓
The Short Answer: The best tart cherry supplement for most people is Zazzee USDA Organic Tart Cherry: 300 mg of organic 10:1 extract per capsule with almost nothing else added, at a low cost per day.
On this page
- Do You Need a Tart Cherry Supplement?
- Find Your Match
- Tart Cherry Supplements Compared
- The 8 Best Tart Cherry Supplements, Reviewed
- Products We Considered but Didn’t Include
- Montmorency vs. Other Tart Cherries
- Evidence Scorecard
- How to Take Tart Cherry for Best Results
- What to Expect and When
- Safety, Side Effects & Drug Interactions
- How to Choose a Tart Cherry Supplement
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict
If you want the Montmorency variety used in most research, choose Nature’s Way. The best evidence for tart cherry is for exercise recovery, with smaller studies on sleep and gout134. Most studies used juice concentrate or a specific Montmorency powder, so capsule results may differ.
We compared 15 tart cherry supplements on extract dose, cherry variety, standardization, other ingredients, sugar, cost per day and buyer feedback. Every product is ranked by its BFN Score, a relative score within this guide. See our review process for how we score.
Do You Need a Tart Cherry Supplement?
No one needs tart cherry. It’s an optional supplement with the most support for exercise recovery.
Here’s what the research shows:
- Exercise recovery: A 2021 meta-analysis of 14 studies found that tart cherry helped muscle strength recover faster and slightly reduced soreness after hard exercise1.
- Endurance performance: In 27 trained runners, 480 mg a day of powdered Montmorency tart cherry for 10 days was linked to faster half-marathon times and lower inflammation markers2.
- Sleep: In a small trial of 20 adults, tart cherry juice concentrate for 7 days raised melatonin levels and improved sleep measures3.
- Gout: In 633 people with gout, eating cherries or cherry extract over 2 days was linked to about 35% fewer gout attacks; this was an observational study, not a trial4.
- Arthritis and blood pressure: Small studies only; not enough to recommend tart cherry for either.
Who Should Skip It or Ask First
- People with gout: tart cherry doesn’t replace uric acid-lowering medicine. Keep taking what your doctor prescribed.
- People taking blood thinners or blood pressure medicine: ask your doctor first, since cherry compounds may add to their effects.
- People with diabetes: gummies and juice add sugar; capsules don’t.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: food amounts are fine; ask before taking concentrated extracts.
Find Your Match
| If you want… | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A clean, low-cost organic capsule | Zazzee Organic | 300 mg 10:1, organic |
| More extract in one organic capsule | Health’s Harmony | 500 mg 10:1 |
| The most concentrated extract | Toniiq 52:1 | 1,000 mg 52:1 |
| The Montmorency variety used in studies | Nature’s Way | Montmorency stated on label |
| A guaranteed amount of active compounds | Solaray | 20.4 mg anthocyanins |
| The lowest cost per day | Nutricost | 240 servings |
| A chewable instead of a capsule | Atlantis Gummies | 2 gummies, with celery seed |
| Help choosing juice or capsules | Our guide | Tart cherry juice vs. capsules |
Tart Cherry Supplements Compared
Scroll sideways to see every column →
| # | Product | Form | Extract per Serving | Variety / Standardization | Other Ingredients | Daily Dose | Sugar | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zazzee Organic | Capsule | 300 mg 10:1 | Not stated | Organic rice powder, pullulan, rice hulls | 1 capsule | 0 g | $$$ |
| 2 | Health’s Harmony | Capsule | 500 mg 10:1 | Not stated | Organic brown rice flour, pullulan | 1 capsule | 0 g | $$$ |
| 3 | Toniiq | Capsule | 1,000 mg 52:1 | Not stated | HPMC capsule, MCC, magnesium stearate, silica | 2 capsules | 0 g | $$$ |
| 4 | Nature’s Way | Capsule | 1.2 g whole-fruit concentrate 7:1 | Montmorency | Cellulose, magnesium stearate, silica | 3 capsules | 0 g | $$$ |
| 5 | Solaray | Capsule | 680 mg extract | 3% anthocyanins (20.4 mg) | Maltodextrin, cellulose, silica, rice extract | 2 capsules | 0 g | $$$ |
| 6 | Nutricost | Capsule | 300 mg 10:1 | Not stated | Rice flour, magnesium stearate, silica | 1 capsule | 0 g | $$$ |
| 7 | Nature’s Craft | Capsule | 750 mg 10:1 | Not stated | Rice flour, silica | 3 capsules | 0 g | $$$ |
| 8 | Atlantis | Gummy | 200 mg 10:1 + 40 mg celery seed | Not stated | Glucose syrup, sugar, pectin, flavor | 2 gummies | 5 g added | $$$ |
$ = lowest cost per day on our list, $$$ = highest.
The 8 Best Tart Cherry Supplements, Reviewed
#1Best Overall
1. Zazzee USDA Organic Tart Cherry
BFN Score9.6/10
$$$Budget120 servings1 capsule per serving
Strongest atPurity & additivesWeakest atEvidence fit
Zazzee gives 300 mg of USDA Organic 10:1 tart cherry extract per capsule, with only organic rice powder, rice hulls and a plant capsule added.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- organic tart cherry 10:1 extract (Prunus cerasus), fruit
- Dose per serving
- 1 capsule = 300 mg extract (labeled as equal to 3,000 mg of fruit)
- Dose vs. research
- Close to the 480 mg of Montmorency powder used in a recovery trial, though a different form2; the cherry variety isn’t stated
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- Not stated; USDA Organic certified
- Other ingredients
- organic rice powder, organic pullulan (vegetarian capsule), organic rice hulls
- Additives
- Clean
- Allergens & diet
- vegan, organic, no sweeteners
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
It’s a clean, organic extract at a dose close to what’s been studied in capsule form. It ranks first for that combination and its low cost; it would rank higher on evidence if it named the cherry variety.
Strengths
- USDA Organic
- One capsule a day
- Low cost per day
Limitations
- Variety not stated
- No anthocyanin amount
- Testing not stated
Practical Details
Take 1 capsule a day. For sleep, take it in the evening; for recovery, take it daily around hard training.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want a simple organic tart cherry capsule.
Not foranyone who wants the Montmorency variety confirmed on the label.
Buyer Experience
Almost all buyers who mention quality are positive, and many say it helps with joint aches, gout and sleep. Buyers find the capsules easy to swallow.
About 3 in 10 who discuss effectiveness saw no change, and opinions on value are split.
vs. Health’s Harmony Organic Tart Cherry
Choose Zazzee for a lower cost and a larger bottle. Choose Health’s Harmony for more extract per capsule.
Nutritionist’s Note
Give it 2–3 weeks of daily use before judging the effect on sleep or soreness.
Verdict: The best overall tart cherry supplement: a clean, organic extract at a low cost.
#2Best Higher-Dose Organic
2. Health’s Harmony Organic Tart Cherry
BFN Score9.5/10
$$$Mid-range60 servings1 capsule per serving
Strongest atPurity & additivesWeakest atEvidence fit
Health’s Harmony gives 500 mg of organic 10:1 tart cherry extract in one capsule, with only organic brown rice flour and a pullulan capsule added.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- organic tart cherry 10:1 extract (Prunus cerasus), fruit
- Dose per serving
- 1 capsule = 500 mg extract
- Dose vs. research
- Similar to the 480 mg of Montmorency powder used in a recovery trial, though a different form2; variety not stated
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- Not stated; organic
- Other ingredients
- organic brown rice flour, organic pullulan (capsule)
- Additives
- Clean
- Allergens & diet
- vegan, organic
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
It gives about two-thirds more extract per capsule than our top pick with the same clean organic label. It ranks second because it costs more per day and has a smaller review base.
Strengths
- 500 mg per capsule
- Organic, short ingredient list
- One capsule a day
Limitations
- Smaller bottle
- Variety not stated
- Has been out of stock at times
Practical Details
Take 1 capsule a day with a meal, or in the evening if you’re using it for sleep.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want a stronger organic capsule.
Not forbuyers focused on the lowest cost.
Buyer Experience
This product has fewer reviews than our top picks. Most buyers who mention effectiveness are positive, often for leg soreness and gout, and many say they sleep better.
vs. Nature’s Craft Extra Strength
Choose Health’s Harmony for organic and one capsule. Choose Nature’s Craft for more extract per day.
Nutritionist’s Note
If you use it for sleep, take it about an hour before bed.
Verdict: A clean, higher-dose organic capsule for people who want more than our top pick.
#3Most Concentrated
3. Toniiq Tart Cherry 52:1
BFN Score9.4/10
$$$Premium60 servings2 capsules per serving
Strongest atDose & safetyWeakest atQuality & trust
Toniiq gives 1,000 mg of 52:1 tart cherry extract per 2-capsule serving, the most concentrated extract on our list.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) fruit 52:1 extract
- Dose per serving
- 2 capsules = 1,000 mg extract
- Dose vs. research
- More extract than the 480 mg powder used in a recovery trial2; variety not stated
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- “Lab tested” (brand claim, lab not named)
- Other ingredients
- vegetable capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide
- Additives
- Note – flow agents
- Allergens & diet
- vegetarian capsule
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
A higher extract ratio means more cherry compounds per milligram, but the label doesn’t state an anthocyanin amount, so you can’t confirm the strength.
Strengths
- 1,000 mg of 52:1 extract
- Strong buyer feedback for gout and sleep
- No sugar
Limitations
- Two capsules per serving
- Higher cost per day
- No anthocyanin amount
Practical Details
Take 2 capsules a day with food; some buyers notice cherry burps on an empty stomach.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want the most concentrated extract.
Not forbuyers who want one capsule a day.
Buyer Experience
Almost all buyers who mention effectiveness are positive, and gout relief comes up often. Many say they sleep longer, and most who discuss price call it good value. A few notice cherry burps if they take it without food.
vs. Zazzee Organic
Choose Toniiq for a much stronger extract. Choose Zazzee for organic and a lower cost.
Nutritionist’s Note
Take it with breakfast or dinner to avoid cherry-flavored burps.
Verdict: The most concentrated tart cherry extract on our list, at a higher cost per day.
#4Best Montmorency Whole Fruit
4. Nature’s Way Tart Cherry Ultra
BFN Score9.3/10
$$$Premium30 servings3 capsules per serving
Strongest atDose & safetyWeakest atValue & practicality
Nature’s Way gives 1.2 g of whole Montmorency tart cherry fruit concentrate per serving, the variety used in most tart cherry research.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- whole tart cherry fruit concentrate 7:1, Montmorency variety
- Dose per serving
- 3 capsules = 1.2 g
- Dose vs. research
- Montmorency matches the variety in most trials; the form differs from the juice concentrate and powder studied12
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- Not stated
- Other ingredients
- plant-derived capsule (modified cellulose), cellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide
- Additives
- Note – flow agents
- Allergens & diet
- vegetarian capsule, no added sugar
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
It’s the only pick that names Montmorency on the label. That matters because most of the research used Montmorency juice or powder.
Strengths
- Montmorency variety stated
- Whole-fruit concentrate
- Long-running brand
Limitations
- Three capsules per serving
- Only 30 servings per bottle
- Higher cost per day
Practical Details
Take 3 capsules once a day, or split them between meals.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want the variety used in studies.
Not foranyone who wants one capsule a day.
Buyer Experience
Most buyers who mention effectiveness are positive, often for gout, knee pain and arthritis. Opinions on the taste of the capsules are mixed.
vs. Solaray Triple Strength
Choose Nature’s Way for Montmorency on the label. Choose Solaray for a guaranteed anthocyanin amount.
Nutritionist’s Note
Split the 3 capsules across meals if one dose feels like a lot.
Verdict: The best pick if you want the Montmorency variety confirmed on the label.
#5Best Standardized Extract
5. Solaray Triple Strength Tart Cherry
BFN Score9.2/10
$$$Mid-range45 servings2 capsules per serving
Strongest atDose & safetyWeakest atPurity & additives
Solaray gives 680 mg of tart cherry extract per serving, guaranteed to contain 20.4 mg (3%) of anthocyanins, the pigments behind most of tart cherry’s effects.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) fruit extract, standardized to 3% anthocyanins
- Dose per serving
- 2 capsules = 680 mg extract (20.4 mg anthocyanins)
- Dose vs. research
- A known anthocyanin amount; variety not stated1
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- “Lab verified” badge (brand claim)
- Other ingredients
- maltodextrin (from non-GMO corn), cellulose, vegetable cellulose capsule, silica, organic rice extract blend
- Additives
- Note – maltodextrin filler
- Allergens & diet
- vegan
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
It’s the only pick that guarantees an amount of active compounds, so you know what you’re getting in each serving.
Strengths
- 20.4 mg anthocyanins guaranteed
- Vegan capsule
- Long-running brand
Limitations
- Maltodextrin filler
- Two capsules per serving
- Few reviews
Practical Details
Take 2 capsules a day with a meal or a glass of water.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want a standardized extract.
Not foranyone avoiding fillers like maltodextrin.
Buyer Experience
This product has fewer reviews than our top picks. Most buyers who mention effectiveness are positive, often for joint pain and gout, and almost all rate the quality highly. Side-effect reports are mixed.
vs. Nature’s Way Tart Cherry Ultra
Choose Solaray for a guaranteed anthocyanin amount. Choose Nature’s Way for the Montmorency variety.
Nutritionist’s Note
If you’re comparing brands, anthocyanin content is a better guide than “fruit equivalent” numbers.
Verdict: The best standardized tart cherry extract, with a guaranteed anthocyanin amount.
#6Best Budget
6. Nutricost Tart Cherry
BFN Score9.1/10
$$$Budget240 servings1 capsule per serving
Strongest atValue & practicalityWeakest atEvidence fit
Nutricost gives 300 mg of 10:1 tart cherry extract per capsule, with 240 servings per bottle, the lowest cost per day on our list.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- tart cherry extract (Prunus cerasus), fruit, 10:1
- Dose per serving
- 1 capsule = 300 mg extract
- Dose vs. research
- Close to the 480 mg powder used in a recovery trial, though a different form2; variety not stated
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- “Third-party tested” (brand claim, lab not named)
- Other ingredients
- rice flour, hypromellose (cellulose) capsule, magnesium stearate (vegetable source), silica
- Additives
- Note – rice flour and flow agents
- Allergens & diet
- vegetarian, gluten-free
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
It’s the same dose as our top pick at a lower cost, but without organic certification and with a filler and flow agents.
Strengths
- Lowest cost per day
- 240 servings
- One capsule a day
Limitations
- Not organic
- Variety not stated
- Some dislike the capsule taste
Practical Details
Take 1 capsule a day with water.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want tart cherry at the lowest cost.
Not forbuyers who want organic.
Buyer Experience
Most buyers rate the quality highly and say it helps with aches, gout or sleep. Most who discuss price call it good value. About 3 in 10 who discuss side effects report a problem, and some dislike the capsule’s taste.
vs. Zazzee Organic
Choose Nutricost for the lowest cost and a bigger bottle. Choose Zazzee for organic and a cleaner label.
Nutritionist’s Note
Swallow it quickly with water if the capsule taste bothers you.
Verdict: The best budget tart cherry capsule, with a simple 300 mg dose.
#7
7. Nature’s Craft Extra Strength Tart Cherry – Highest 10:1 Dose
BFN Score9.0/10
$$$Mid-range80 servings3 capsules per serving
Strongest atDose & safetyWeakest atQuality & trust
Nature’s Craft gives 750 mg of 10:1 tart cherry extract per 3-capsule serving, the highest 10:1 dose on our list.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredient + form
- tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) fruit extract, 10:1
- Dose per serving
- 3 capsules = 750 mg extract
- Dose vs. research
- Above the 480 mg powder used in a recovery trial, though a different form2; variety not stated
- % DV / Upper Limit
- No DV or upper limit
- Purity testing
- Not stated
- Other ingredients
- rice flour, vegetable capsule, silicon dioxide
- Additives
- Note – rice flour and flow agent
- Allergens & diet
- vegetarian capsule
- Safety flags
- Ask first if you take blood thinners or blood pressure medicine
Clinical Relevance
It’s a higher-dose 10:1 extract for people who want more per day. It ranks lower on quality because the brand gives little testing information and one buyer reported a change in capsule color between orders.
Strengths
- 750 mg per serving
- Large bottle
- No sugar
Limitations
- Three capsules per serving
- Testing not stated
- One report of inconsistent capsules
Practical Details
Take 3 capsules a day with a meal, together or split.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who want a higher daily dose of a standard 10:1 extract.
Not foranyone who wants one capsule a day.
Buyer Experience
This product has fewer reviews than our top picks. Most buyers who mention effectiveness are positive, especially for gout, and they find the capsules easy to swallow with no taste. One buyer noticed lighter-colored capsules in a later order.
vs. Health’s Harmony Organic Tart Cherry
Choose Nature’s Craft for more extract per day. Choose Health’s Harmony for organic and one capsule.
Nutritionist’s Note
Take all 3 capsules daily; buyers who skipped doses noticed less effect.
Verdict: The highest 10:1 dose on our list, in three capsules a day.
#8Best Gummy
8. Atlantis Tart Cherry Gummies
BFN Score8.2/10
$$$Premium30 servings2 gummies per serving
Strongest atValue & practicalityWeakest atEvidence fit
Atlantis gives 200 mg of 10:1 tart cherry extract and 40 mg of celery seed extract in two gummies, for people who don’t want capsules.
Label Reality Check
- Active ingredients + form
- tart cherry 10:1 extract (Prunus cerasus), celery seed 10:1 extract
- Dose per serving
- 2 gummies = 200 mg tart cherry extract + 40 mg celery seed extract
- Dose vs. research
- Less extract than our capsule picks2
- % DV / Upper Limit
- 5 g added sugar (10% DV), 20 calories
- Purity testing
- Not stated
- Other ingredients
- glucose syrup, sugar, glucose, pectin, citric acid, natural cherry flavor, vegetable oil (carnauba wax), fruit and vegetable juice for color
- Additives
- Note – added sugars
- Allergens & diet
- pectin-based (no gelatin)
- Safety flags
- Added sugar; count it if you have diabetes
Clinical Relevance
Gummies are easier to take, but you get less tart cherry and 5 g of added sugar per serving. Choose a capsule if dose or sugar matters to you.
Strengths
- Easy to take
- Buyers love the taste
- No gelatin
Limitations
- 5 g added sugar
- Lowest extract dose
- Highest cost per serving of extract
Practical Details
Chew 2 gummies a day.
Best For / Not For
Best forpeople who won’t take capsules.
Not forpeople watching sugar or wanting a higher dose.
Buyer Experience
Almost all buyers who mention taste like it, and many report better sleep and less joint pain. Buyers find them easy to take every day. Some find them too sweet.
vs. Zazzee Organic
Choose Atlantis if you won’t swallow capsules. Choose Zazzee for more extract, no sugar and a lower cost.
Nutritionist’s Note
Brush your teeth after taking them at night, since they contain sugar.
Verdict: The best tart cherry gummy, with a lower dose and added sugar.
Products We Considered but Didn’t Include
Sports Research Tart Cherry Fruit Complex. Its 800 mg “Tart Cherry Complex” lists organic olive oil first, then tart cherry extract and cherry juice concentrate, without showing how much cherry each softgel contains.
Clean Nutraceuticals Tart Cherry + Turmeric Capsules. A multi-ingredient “uric acid” formula with turmeric, moringa, chanca piedra and celery seed, not a tart cherry supplement on its own.
Swanson HiActives Tart Cherry. 465 mg of whole tart cherry powder per capsule, less concentrated than the extracts on our list.
Carlyle and Bronson tart cherry capsules. Their front labels lead with “fruit equivalent” numbers, which make doses hard to compare.
“Good Grove” and “Happy Harvest” listings. We found many new listings from different sellers using these names in their titles. Buy only from the brand’s own store page.
Montmorency vs. Other Tart Cherries
Montmorency is the tart cherry variety used in most published studies, usually as juice concentrate or freeze-dried powder12. Most supplement labels say only “Prunus cerasus,” the species, without naming the variety. That doesn’t mean they’re not Montmorency, but you can’t confirm it. See our guide to Montmorency vs. regular tart cherry for more.
Evidence Scorecard
| Use | What it’s studied for | Evidence level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise recovery | Strength, soreness | Moderate | Meta-analysis of 14 studies1 |
| Endurance performance | Race time, inflammation | Limited | One trial of 480 mg powder, funded by the supplier2 |
| Sleep | Melatonin, sleep time | Limited | Small trials with juice concentrate3 |
| Gout attacks | Fewer flares | Limited | Observational study only4 |
| Arthritis pain | Pain, stiffness | Limited | Small trials only |
Tart cherry has the best evidence for recovery after hard exercise. For gout, it’s not a replacement for prescription treatment.
For a closer look at each use, see our guides to tart cherry for muscle recovery, tart cherry and sleep, tart cherry and gout and tart cherry for joint pain.
How to Take Tart Cherry for Best Results
| Goal | How to take it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise recovery | Daily for several days before and after hard training | The 480 mg powder trial ran 10 days2 |
| Sleep | In the evening, about an hour before bed | Juice studies used two doses a day for a week3 |
| Gout | Daily, alongside your prescribed treatment | Don’t stop uric acid-lowering medicine4 |
- Compare extract weight, not “fruit equivalent.” A 10:1 extract of 300 mg is still 300 mg.
- Be consistent: most studies gave it daily for 1–2 weeks or longer.
- Capsules avoid the sugar in juice and gummies.
For dose details, see how much tart cherry extract to take daily and the best time to take tart cherry.
What to Expect and When
In recovery studies, effects showed up over several days of use around a hard workout12. The sleep trial measured changes after 7 days3. For gout, any effect builds over time and is best judged with your doctor.
Safety, Side Effects & Drug Interactions
Tart cherry is a food and is generally well tolerated in studies. The most common complaints are stomach upset, cherry-flavored burps and, with gummies or juice, extra sugar. For more, see tart cherry extract side effects.
| Medication or condition | Possible interaction | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Blood thinners (warfarin) | Cherry compounds may have mild antiplatelet effects | Ask your doctor first |
| Blood pressure medicine | May add to blood pressure lowering | Monitor and ask your doctor |
| Gout medicine (allopurinol, colchicine) | Not a replacement | Keep taking prescribed medicine4 |
| Diabetes | Gummies and juice add sugar | Choose capsules |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Concentrated extracts not studied | Ask your doctor |
How to Choose a Tart Cherry Supplement
Extract Weight vs. Fruit Equivalent
Look at the milligrams of extract on the Supplement Facts panel, not the “equivalent to” number on the front label.
Variety
Montmorency is the variety used in most studies. Only one of our picks names it on the label.
Standardization
A stated anthocyanin amount is the best way to compare strength. Only one of our picks gives one.
Form
Capsules have no sugar. Gummies and juice are easier to take but add sugar.
Cost per Day
Among our picks, the lowest cost per day came from single-capsule 300 mg extracts, and the highest from gummies and 3-capsule products.
Label Red Flags
- Only a “fruit equivalent” number, with no extract weight
- “Complex” or blend amounts that don’t show the cherry dose
- Listings that use another brand’s name in the title
- Claims that tart cherry cures gout or arthritis
Important: These supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Results vary by individual. If you have a health condition or take medications, check with your doctor before adding any new supplement to your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tart cherry supplement?
Zazzee USDA Organic Tart Cherry is our top pick for its clean organic 300 mg extract at a low cost. For the Montmorency variety on the label, choose Nature’s Way.
Is tart cherry extract better than tart cherry juice?
Most studies used juice concentrate or powder, but capsules avoid the sugar and calories in juice. See our tart cherry juice vs. capsules guide.
Does tart cherry help with gout?
In a study of 633 people with gout, cherry intake was linked to about 35% fewer attacks4. It was an observational study, so tart cherry should be used alongside, not instead of, prescribed treatment.
Does tart cherry help you sleep?
A small trial found that tart cherry juice concentrate raised melatonin and improved some sleep measures over 7 days3. Effects from capsules haven’t been tested as well.
Are Good Grove and Happy Harvest tart cherry capsules legitimate?
We found many listings from different sellers using these names. If you want a specific brand, buy from its own store page and check the seller name before ordering.
Is tart cherry safe with blood thinners?
Ask your doctor first. Tart cherry may have mild effects on blood clotting and blood pressure, so it could add to the effects of these medicines.
Final Verdict
Zazzee USDA Organic Tart Cherry is the best tart cherry supplement for most people: a clean, organic 300 mg extract at a low cost.
For more extract in one organic capsule, choose Health’s Harmony. For the Montmorency variety, choose Nature’s Way. For the lowest cost, choose Nutricost.
If you have gout or take blood thinners, talk to your doctor before adding tart cherry.
Sources & History
References
- Tart Cherry Supplementation and Recovery From Strenuous Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2021
- Effects of Powdered Montmorency Tart Cherry Supplementation on Acute Endurance Exercise Performance in Aerobically Trained Individuals — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2016
- Effect of Tart Cherry Juice (Prunus cerasus) on Melatonin Levels and Enhanced Sleep Quality — European Journal of Nutrition, 2012
- Cherry Consumption and Decreased Risk of Recurrent Gout Attacks — Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2012
















