Tart cherry has become a key player in the recovery routines of pro athletes - and its reputation is growing
If you followed the 2025 Tour de France, you might have seen many of the cyclists, including yellow jersey winner, Tadej Pogačar, downing a red drink after another gruelling stage. What was in it?
Tart cherry juice, an ingredient whose reputation has been gradually growing in recent years, though its reputation as an antioxidant is well-established.
If any sport needs to be on the cutting-edge of the recovery story it’s cycling, but tart cherries – specifically Montmorency cherries – are now a key part of the preparation and recovery routines of marathon runners, NBA teams, pro footballers and major-winning golfers.
Taken in the form of drinks or juice concentrate, whole fruits and increasingly, capsules, powders and gummies, it’s now gaining traction in the wider population too, as an aid to post-workout recovery and general wellbeing, especially as people increasingly look to natural, plant-based options.
What is it?
Tart cherries are a sour variety of cherry known for their deep red colour and naturally high levels of polyphenols, particularly anthocyanins – compounds which give the fruit its colour and are associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Tart cherries also contain small amounts of melatonin, vitamin C, and potassium.
Montmorency tart cherries, chiefly grown in Europe and North America, are the most widely produced form of tart cherry.
Why interest is growing
Sports scientists and performance teams are always looking for ways to manage the physical demands of training, particularly muscle soreness, reduced inflammation and general recovery. Tart cherry has become part of that conversation for a few reasons:
They are high in antioxidants
The fruit’s polyphenol content has been widely studied for its potential to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress following exercise.
Antioxidants play an important role in neutralising free radicals and mitigating against oxidative stress.
“At times when you've got excessive free radical production, in other words, excessive stress, then actually supplementing with cherry can be valuable,” says Professor Greg Whyte.
Emerging research on recovery
Over 100 studies have been undertaken on its benefits, many of which have focused on whether tart cherry can lead to reductions in perceived muscle soreness and markers of muscle damage after exercise.
Montmorency cherries also contain small amounts of melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that is crucial in sleep regulation and its skins are rich in procyanidin-B2 which is thought to influence the availability of tryptophan in the bloodstream, to support serotonin production.
Natural and easy to include in routine
Tart cherry also fits alongside the broader trend of “food-first” recovery options, where people are looking for natural, plant-based products that fit neatly into their routines and are easy to take at home or on the go.
“I always say: we sometimes try to be too smart,” says ainslie + ainslie formulation consultant Aidan Goggins. “People can’t beat nature. If you just find the most powerful ingredients that nature has, and combine them, you’ll always get the best benefits. “
Why NIGHT POWDER uses CherryPURE®
The formulation in NIGHT POWDER uses CherryPURE® powder as one of its hero ingredients, a trademarked Montmorency tart cherry extract, chosen for its quality, organic certification and the number of research studies attached.
In powder form, NIGHT POWDER offers efficient absorption and allows meaningful doses of each ingredient to be included in each dose.
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As a still emerging performance ingredient, more large-scale research is needed into its benefits*, but as a natural antioxidant for those looking to refine their recovery approach, and in combination with other nutrients and practices, tart cherry has earned a valued place in pro sport and beyond.
* EFSA (European Food Standards Agency) has not yet approved any official claims for tart cherry citing a lack of human studies and that antioxidant activity does not in itself warrant ratification.
