Montmorency tart cherry juice and heart markers in people with metabolic syndrome
What it found
In 12 people with metabolic syndrome, Montmorency tart cherry juice for 6 to 7 days lowered blood pressure, fasting glucose and cholesterol compared to a placebo drink.
The authors say these changes are clinically relevant.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood pressure over 24 hours
After 7 days of cherry juice, average 24-hour systolic blood pressure was lower by 5 mmHg compared to the placebo. Diastolic pressure fell by 2 mmHg. Eleven out of 12 participants had lower 24-hour systolic readings on the cherry juice, compared to only 2 out of 12 on the placebo.
Fasting glucose levels
Fasting glucose dropped by 9% after 6 days of cherry juice, falling from 5.90 to 5.39 mmol.L-1. Ten out of 12 participants had lower fasting glucose after the cherry juice compared to the placebo.
Cholesterol and LDL
Total cholesterol fell from 4.5 to 4.1 mmol.L-1 after 6 days of cherry juice. LDL cholesterol also dropped from 3.07 to 2.71 mmol.L-1. Ten out of 12 participants saw their LDL fall on cherry juice, compared to 5 out of 12 on the placebo.
Resting fuel use
The respiratory exchange ratio, which shows whether the body burns more fat or carbohydrate at rest, was lower after 6 days of cherry juice. It fell from 0.86 to 0.83, suggesting a shift in how the body used fuel.
Other findings
What was in the juice
Each daily serving was 30 mL of Montmorency tart cherry concentrate mixed with 100 mL of water. That amount came from about 90 to 110 whole cherries and provided 270 mg of total anthocyanins, 102 kcal and 24.5 g of carbohydrates.
What the authors conclude
- They report that 7 days of Montmorency tart cherry juice improved 24-hour blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL in people with metabolic syndrome.
- They suggest these changes could help prevent further problems with heart and metabolism markers in this group.
- They call for larger trials to confirm these results and to find out how the juice lowers blood pressure.
How it was done
Metabolic syndrome raises the chance of heart disease by 2-fold and type II diabetes by 5-fold. Montmorency tart cherries contain plant compounds that earlier work linked to better heart and metabolism markers in people.
Twelve adults with metabolic syndrome (6 men and 6 women, average age 50) drank either Montmorency tart cherry juice or a matched placebo for 7 days each, with a 14-day break between. Blood tests, blood pressure monitors worn for 24 hours and other measurements were taken before and after each 7-day period.
What it can’t tell you
- Only 12 people took part, so the results might not apply to everyone with metabolic syndrome.
- The study lasted just 7 days, so it cannot show whether these changes last over weeks or months.
- Participants were told not to take certain medicines or supplements, so the findings may not match what happens alongside regular treatments.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Hertfordshire, UK
The paper
- Title
- Effects of short-term continuous Montmorency tart cherry juice supplementation in participants with metabolic syndrome
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Desai T, Roberts M, Bottoms L (2021). Effects of short-term continuous Montmorency tart cherry juice supplementation in participants with metabolic syndrome. European journal of nutrition. doi:10.1007/s00394-020-02355-5Free full textPubMed 32789528DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error