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Effects of Tart Cherry Juice Supplementation on Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

  • 2026-04-07
  • Sports medicine - open 12(1)
    • Wael Daab
    • Mohamed Amine Bouzid
    • George P Nassis
    • Ashokan Arumugam
    • Achraf Ammar
    • Haris Pojskić
    • Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Population
trained athletes
Methods
systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines

Background

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is known to impair neuromuscular performance, provoke inflammation, and delay recovery. Tart cherry (TC) juice, a polyphenol-rich nutritional product, has been proposed as a strategy to support recovery in athletes; however, findings across studies remain inconsistent.

Objective

The aim was to conduct a systematic review combined with a meta-analysis and corroborate the certainty of evidence underpinning the effects of TC juice supplementation on physical, biochemical, and perceptual recovery markers following EIMD in trained athletes.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to 25 December 2025.

Results

Nineteen trials were included. Our results revealed TC juice supplementation significantly improved MVC recovery in the main analysis across all time points (post: ES = 0.63; 24 h: ES = 1.12; 48 h: ES = 1.29; 72 h: ES = 2.14; 96 h: ES = 4.82), with substantial heterogeneity (I² 69-93%). CMJ showed no significant effects post-exercise or at 24h but improved at 48 h (ES = 1.41; I² = 72%). TC juice significantly reduced CRP post-exercise and up to 48 h (post: ES = -0.46; 24 h: ES = -0.73; 48 h: ES = -0.68), whereas no significant pooled effects were found for muscle soreness, CK, IL-6, TNF-α, ROM, or most subgroup time points. Subgroup analyses suggested model-specific responses (e.g., MVC improvements at 24-48 h in whole-body protocols and at 72 h in isolated protocols). Sensitivity analyses indicated that statistical significance at selected time points (MVC post and 72 h; CMJ 48 h; CRP 24-48 h) was influenced by individual studies. Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate.

Conclusions

TC juice supplementation may support recovery of selected functional and inflammatory markers following exercise-induced muscle damage in trained athletes; however, findings are heterogeneous and supported by low-to-moderate certainty of evidence, warranting cautious interpretation.

Research Insights

  • tart cherry→Improved Muscle Strength

    TC juice supplementation significantly improved MVC recovery in the main analysis across all time points (post: ES = 0.63; 24 h: ES = 1.12; 48 h: ES = 1.29; 72 h: ES = 2.14; 96 h: ES = 4.82), with substantial heterogeneity (I² 69-93%).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
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