Sweet Cherry Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is the familiar dark red or yellow-red cherry that many people eat fresh in the summer. It grows on trees in the rose family and is cultivated in temperate regions around the world, including Europe, the United States, and parts of Asia.

Besides being a popular food, sweet cherry is sold as juice, juice concentrate, powders, and capsules. It is often grouped together with tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) in supplement marketing, even though they are different fruits. Most published research on cherry supplements actually uses tart cherry, so be careful not to assume the two work the same way.

People take cherry products hoping to ease joint pain, reduce muscle soreness after exercise, support better sleep, and get extra antioxidants.

Sweet cherry contains anthocyanins (the pigments that give the fruit its deep red color) and other polyphenols, along with vitamin C and small amounts of melatonin. These compounds act as antioxidants, meaning they can help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals.

Researchers think the anthocyanins and polyphenols may also reduce inflammation and may affect levels of uric acid, which is the substance that builds up in gout. The melatonin content is the proposed reason cherries are studied for sleep.

Most of these effects have been shown mainly in laboratory and animal studies or in small human trials. The exact way cherry works in the body, and whether the amounts in supplements are enough to matter, is still not fully understood.

Eaten as a food, sweet cherry is very safe for most people. Concentrated juices, powders, and capsules are also generally well tolerated, but they have not been studied as carefully.

People with diabetes should be aware that cherry juice and concentrate can be high in natural sugar. Anyone with a known allergy to cherries or other stone fruits (like plums, peaches, or apricots) should avoid them.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Enjoying cherries as part of a normal diet is fine. However, the safety of concentrated cherry supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been studied, so it is best to use caution and check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.

As with any supplement, talk to a pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you have a chronic health condition or take prescription medicines.

Sweet cherry is usually well tolerated. When side effects happen, they are typically mild and related to eating a large amount of fruit or drinking a lot of juice.

Possible side effects include:

• Stomach upset, gas, or bloating
• Loose stools or diarrhea from eating large quantities
• Extra sugar and calories from juice or concentrate

Rarely, people who are allergic to cherries or other stone fruits may have an allergic reaction, which can include itching, swelling, or trouble breathing. Seek medical help right away if this happens. Note that cherry pits contain a compound that can release cyanide, so pits should never be crushed and eaten.

There is no official or standardized dose for sweet cherry as a supplement. Studies have used different forms and amounts, and most used tart cherry, so the right dose for sweet cherry is not established.

If you use a cherry juice, concentrate, powder, or capsule, follow the directions on the product label. Do not assume more is better. If you have diabetes or are watching sugar intake, pay attention to the sugar content of juices and concentrates.

When in doubt, ask your pharmacist or doctor for guidance on whether a cherry supplement makes sense for you and how much to take.